At the Henry Street Hebrew School, the rabbi finished the day's lesson. It was now time for the usual question period.

"Rabbi," asked little Melvin, "there's something I need to know."

"What's that, my child?" asked the rabbi.

"Well, according to the Scriptures, the Children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, right?"

"Right."

"And the Children of Israel beat up the Philistines, right?"

"Uh--right."

"And the Children of Israel built the Temple, right?"

"Again you are correct."

"And the Children of Israel fought the Egyptians, and the Children of Israel fought the Romans, and the Children of Israel were always doing something important, right?"

"All that is correct," agreed the rabbi. "So what's your question?"

"What I need to know is this," demanded Melvin. "What were all the grown-ups doing?"

Received from Thomas Ellsworth.

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