The wit and wisdom of Safed the sage

Front matter

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Foreword

The constant request of readers who enjoy these little chapters of popular philosophy, good sense and fun as they appear from week to week has led the publishers to issue this book. We are confident that wherever it goes it will not only stimulate the cultivation of Safed's favorite flower, the Hollyhock, and promote the appreciation of good doughnuts and cherry pie, but will carry the spirit of mirth and wholesome good cheer which have made these parables popular.

Many readers have inquired the origin of the name Safed. So far as we know, no man except the author of these Parables bears or has borne that name. He did not wish to choose a name either from the Bible or from the Arabian Nights, and so invented one. The name was not, however, invented wholly out of nothing. There is in Northern Galilee a village called Safed or Sefet, lying north and a little west from the Sea of Galilee, and plainly visible from the traditional site of the Sermon on the Mount, and believed to be the "city set on a hill, which cannot be hid." The author visited this site some years ago, and the name came to him some-

FOREWORD what spontaneously as a convenient one for the character which he has assumed in these chapters.

We commend these chapters to all who enjoyeither good fun or good sense or both.

The Publishers.

Introduction

I wish to express my own appreciation, and that of Keturah, for the very gracious words that come to us from readers of these Parables. If they are fitted to add to the enjoyment of life, that in itself is worth while. If they teach some wholesome lessons, and discover in common things suggestions of things spiritual, the author is doubly glad. Written week by week, and made, like Keturah' s suppers on the day the maid goes out, out of such things as are found in the cupboard, they are intended to teach their homely lessons of kindness, faith and courage in terms that are easily intelligible.

If now and then they contain a word too new to be found in the dictionary, and popularly known as slang, it is to be remembered that Safed and Keturah are the parents of children who continue to contribute something to the education of their parents; and there is thought to be a value in relieving a style that might easily become monotonously solemn with a little element of piquancy. But it will not need to be said that no word is used that is known to have any coarse association. Many now thoroughly reputable words were once slang.

INTRODUCTION

In these parables the sins and follies of life are intended to be treated with charity, and the simple and sterling qualities that make life worth living are sought to be constantly commended. If now and then these lessons provoke a smile, so much the better.

We have been needlessly afraid of the word "parable." All true teaching is by means of parables. We live in a world that would be totally dark but for five narrow windows of sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. Our emotions and aspirations and spiritual perceptions must all be expressed in words which were originally words of the five senses. We have constant need to be told not what the kingdom of heaven is, but what it is like unto. Any homely little incident that gives us a glimpse of spiritual realities is worth to us all that it can be made to express of truth and beauty. The kingdom of heaven is within.

The sources of joy in human life lie close about us and inhere in common things. Some of their mean- ' ings lie plainly on the surface and are immediately available. But there are deeper joys and larger lessons in common experiences if we know how to find them.

Safed.