Posted on: Thursday, June 9, 2005

TELL ME A STORY
Folk tales for families from around the world
An elixir of Eden heals a sister's broken heart

Adapted by Amy Friedman

"The Garden's Gift" is a Jewish folk tale.

Once upon a time there was a man who owned the largest stable in all of Eastern Europe. He was a prosperous man — for day and night, people would come to him from all over, seeking horses to pull their carts and coaches, or a place to rest their tired animals or to exchange their horses.

After a while the man could not continue to work alone, and sought a stable hand. He spoke to many young men, some eager to work, others less sure. And one day a young man named Hayim came to him.

"I am an orphan," Hayim explained, "and I must find work to support myself. I will gladly work as many hours as you wish, and I promise I will serve you well."

The stable master was impressed with the lad, and when he learned that Hayim had been living in the streets, he hired him and let him live in the stable. Within weeks, when he saw how humble and kind and hardworking Hayim was, he invited him to live with his family.

The man's wife welcomed Hayim, and their daughter, Sarah, became very fond of the boy. Before long she felt as if he had always been her brother, and everyone remarked how loving and kind Hayim and Sarah were to each other.

Hayim continued to work hard. The family grew more prosperous, and everyone loved Hayim.

Then Hayim fell ill. The doctor could not cure him, and each day Hayim grew weaker and paler.

Sarah fed him hearty stews and soups, and sat at his bedside through the night, holding cool cloths to his feverish forehead, clutching his hand, saying prayers for his health.

Everyone prayed for his recovery, but one day Hayim slipped away.

The family and all the villagers mourned Hayim's death for a long time, but when the time for mourning came to an end, Sarah's parents saw that she was still sick with grief. They worried for their daughter's health now, and they shuddered as they imagined losing her as well.

Nothing would bring a smile to Sarah's face. Her eyes no longer gleamed as they once had. Her cheeks were pale. "I miss my brother," she sobbed.

"You must try to go on," her mother begged.

"I cannot imagine my life without Hayim," Sarah cried.

The stable master stood by her side, unable to ease his daughter's pain.

One night he fell asleep at his daughter's bedside, and Hayim appeared in his dream. Hayim was healthy and strong again, glowing with the vigor of youth.

The stable master stared at him. "Why do you look so happy?" he asked. "Where have you been?"

Hayim smiled. "I left this world and appeared before the heavenly court," he said. "When they asked me if I was a faithful man in my life, I explained that I did not say many prayers, but that I was a faithful son and an honest worker. I told them I had never lied or stolen or cheated. I told them I had loved."

"And they answered?" the stable master asked.

"They told me I had earned a place in the Garden of Eden, and that is where I live."

"And what do you do?"

"I told them I had tended horses, and so now I tend the heavenly horses. And tell me, how is my beloved mother? And sweet Sarah?"

The stable master's eyes filled with tears as he told Hayim about Sarah's illness. "She says she cannot live without you. She is terribly ill, and nothing will cure her."

Hayim looked thoughtful, and then smiled. "I will give you leaves from the Garden of Eden, for they will cure any illness." And Hayim reached out and gave him a handful of leaves, saying, "Boil these and give the drink to Sarah."

As the stable master touched the leaves, he woke with a start. It was morning, and pale light streamed in through the window. He rubbed his eyes, and looked at the bed where his daughter lay — and scattered on her blanket were leaves that had blown in from the open window. But these were leaves that did not grow on any trees in this land.

So he gathered them and boiled them, and gave the drink to Sarah, telling her of his dream.

"He looked joyful," the stable master said. "He is at peace, and he gave me these leaves from the Garden of Eden."

For the first time since her brother's death, Sarah smiled. That night her fever broke, and within days she was well again.

Later, when Sarah married and gave birth to a son, she named him Hayim, in honor of her brother and his faithfulness and love.