NO ROOM FOR YOU

He was a modest man of dress and quite ordinary in appearance.  Yet, he was the wisest man in all the land, the Great Sage of Bialystock, revered and adored by the multitudes.

One stormy night, the Sage came to the small town of Kumpfel, cold, hungry, and unannounced. He rapped on the door of the local innkeeper, who did not recognize him.

“There is no room at this inn for you.” The innkeeper growled when he opened the door.

“Please, kind sir, will you find it in your heart to make even a humble space for the night?” The Sage asked.

Begrudgingly, the innkeeper allowed the Sage to sleep on the cold, hard floor in the cellar in exchange for an exorbitant price but denied him a hot meal.

Much to the innkeeper’s surprise, the Sage agreed and had the coins to pay for what was asked.

Knowing he had fleeced the traveler, the innkeeper chuckled and led him to his accommodations.

Word traveled quickly in Kumpfel that the Great Sage had been seen entering the inn. By morning, all the townspeople gathered outside the inn to pay homage to the Sage and learn from him.

As they waited patiently for the doors to open, the innkeeper peered outside to see the crowd. He asked, “Why are you all here?”

“We’re here to see the Great Sage of Bialystock, who crossed your threshold late last night,” came the reply.

The innkeeper was mortified that he had treated the Great Sage so poorly. He ran down to the cellar and prostrated himself before his learned guest.

“Please forgive me, great Sage. I did not know it was you. Please, Lord, I beg your forgiveness.”

The Great Sage refused.

“How can you not forgive me, wise One? You teach forgiveness and compassion.”

“You come to me, a Sage, asking for forgiveness. But you did not insult that person. Your actions show that you mistreated a poor, anonymous person. That’s to whom you need to ask forgiveness.”

The innkeeper went out and found the poorest wretch in the town. He brought him back to the inn, fed the unfortunate soul a hot meal, and gave him a fine feather bed to rest upon. He then asked forgiveness for his past neglect and the blindness that caused him to close his heart to strangers. He vowed to continue to be generous to all he meets.

And so, the Great Sage of Bialystock was pleased. He held counsel to the people of Kumpfel. He brought knowledge and blessings to all.

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