Merchant Tovel loved attention. Knowing that people would listen if he had news to share, he went around his village making up stories about the local rabbi（犹太教神职人员）.
"He mixes dairy and meat!" said Tovel.
The townspeople shook their heads, for they all knew that dairy and meat must not be mixed in the course of any meal.
"And he sneaks（偷拿） food on Yom Kippur, " added Tovel.
"Not Yom Kippur!"cried the townspeople.
For not only is Yom Kippu r the most important fasting day of the year, but it is also the holiest Jewish holiday.
Later, alone in his home, the talebearer felt bad about what he had done. His stories about the rabbi had spread quickly. "I will go to the rabbi and beg him for forgiveness, "he decided. Then all would be well again.
The next morning, he went to the temple and knocked on the door. "Rabbi, "he called, "it is merchant Tovel, coming to see you about an important matter. "
"Come in, Tovel, "the rabbi said warmly, opening the door.
In a matter of moments, Tovel told the rabbi all the things he had said. Then he asked, "What can I do to make things right?"
The rabbi thought for a moment, then told him, "You must take a feather pillow（枕头）, cut it open, and feed the feathers to the wind. "
Tovel thought that the rabbi's suggestion was strange, but the task seemed simple enough. And if it would take away the guilt he felt, then why not do it?Tovel thanked the rabbi and quickly left the temple. At home, the talebearer grabbed a feather pillow, waited for the afternoon winds to pick up, then climbed to the top of a hill. There, he cut open the pillow and watched the feathers float far and wide across the land. Satisfied, Tovel returned to tell the rabbi of his deed. "Now go and gather those feathers, "the rabbi commanded.
注意： 续写词数应为 150 左右；
"But they are everywhere!" Tovel cried. "How will I get them all?"
Feeling disappointed, Tovel returned to tell the rabbi about the feathers he couldn't collect.
