A long time ago, in a small town in France, there lived a wealthy textile merchant. Phillippe sold cloth to the people in this town, and it was well-known that he had the very finest cloth - silks, velvets, lace, wool, and cotton. He was a respected man who gave generous amounts of money to the community. Phillipe, however, was not a learned man, so for his only daughter Camille he wanted a young man who would be eager to learn the textile business, but would also be a scholar.

One day, Phillipe went to the university and spoke to the headmaster who headed the school.

"Hello sir," said the merchant. "I have come for a very special reason. I would like to find a good husband for my daughter Camille - someone who will continue to study but will also want to work with me and learn my business."

As the headmaster listened, he stroked his gray beard. Then his face brightened and he replied, almost to himself, "Jacque - of course, Jacque." Then he turned to Phillipe and said, "There is a young man here who comes from a nearby village. He sings with a sweet voice that brings light to the heavens and joy to the heart. He walks in the garden and listens to the melodies of the birds, and then he composes melodies by interweaving the songs of the birds. It is well-known that each creature has a song of its own but, as the psalms say, 'God's children make melodies out of all of their individual songs in order to bring them to the Lord.' When Jacque sings a melody, everyone listens at first, but then the students join in. They sing for hours, and their voices are truly filled with spiritual fervor. But the voice that is heard above them all is that of Jacque. He often says the joy of the world is more complete with a new melody. He is a poor boy, however, and he will welcome the opportunity to be a part of your family, Phillipe."

And so, Phillipe and the headmaster shook hands and agreed that Jacque and Phillipe were to meet that very day. Jacque was called in, and Phillipe looked him over - as if he were a piece of merchandise to be bought and sold. He looked at Jacque's straight black hair, his beard, his thin short frame, his long slender fingers, and his large black eyes.

Jacque's cheeks were flushed as he stammered a "b...b-bonjour." After telling Jacque why he had come to the university...READ MORE