In course of time the old father, feeling his end drawing near, called his beloved son to his bedside and said to him,—
“Hearken, my son, to the words which I am [[26]]about to speak. Your mother and I will soon die. After our death and burial you will observe the customary period of mourning and lamentation. On the day following go to the nearest market-place and buy the first thing offered to you, be the price what it may. I also charge you to continue the study of the Holy Word of the Bible by day and by night, keep the Divine Commandments, support the poor and be kind to the dumb creatures.”
After he had spoken these words he blessed his son and closed his eyes in the sleep of death.
Chaninah went to tell his mother of the death of his father. The sad news was too much for the poor woman and the shock killed her instantly. The pious son buried his beloved parents in the village cemetery and returned home to keep the customary period of mourning and lamentation, which lasted seven days.
Mindful of his father’s dying words, Chaninah went on the following morning to the nearest market-place. One of the merchants, carrying a beautiful silver casket in his hands, came to him and said,—
“Will you buy this casket?”
“What is the price?” asked Chaninah.
“I will take eighty pieces of silver for it,” answered the merchant, and he added, “I will not accept any less.” [[27]]
Chaninah agreed, and there and then paid the large sum of money demanded, thinking all the while of his dear father’s last wish. The money which he had spent in buying the casket was nearly all the fortune he possessed.
Without any further delay he returned home with his purchase, which he was anxious to show to his wife.