The man died and was buried according to Jewish rites, and his death was made public that his heirs might appear. When his son learned of his father's decease he started from Jerusalem for the place where he had died. Near the gates of the city he met a man who had a load of wood for sale. This he purchased and ordered it to be delivered at the inn toward which he was traveling. The man from whom he bought it went at once to the inn, and said, "Here is the wood."
"What wood?" returned the proprietor; "I ordered no wood."
"No," answered the woodcutter, "but the man who follows me did; I will enter and wait for him."
Thus the son had provided for himself a welcome when he should reach the inn, which was his first wise act.
The landlord said to him, "Who art thou?"
"The son of the merchant who died in thy house," he replied.
They prepared for him a dinner, and placed upon the table five pigeons and a chicken. The master of the house, his wife, two sons, and two daughters sat with him at the table.
"Serve the food," said the landlord.
"Nay," answered the young man; "thou art master, it is thy privilege."
"I desire thee to do this thing; thou art my guest, the merchant's son; pray help the food."