"You are quite right, Rabbi! Your plan is really a very good one. But I am only one of many, Wilna is full of such unfortunate people. Everyone of them must be talked to, and have the thing explained to him. Then, the other party must be spoken to as well, I mean the poor people, so that they shall be willing
to take their share of the misfortune. That's not such an easy matter as giving a thing away and getting rid of it."
"Of course, of course. . ." agreed Reb Nochumtzi.
"Look here, Rav of Pumpian, I will undertake the more difficult part—let us work together! You shall persuade the rich to give away their misfortune, and I will persuade the poor to take it! Your share of the work will be the easier, because, after all, everybody wants to be rid of his misfortune. Do your part, and as soon as you have finished with the rich, I will arrange for you to be met half-way by the poor. . ."
History does not tell how far the Rav of Pumpian succeeded in Wilna. Only this much is certain, the president never saw him again.
