The King and Nicholas turned to Ephraim and anxiously awaited his reply.
“My story is as follows,” says the Jew. “A month ago my neighbour went away from home on a very long journey. In order to give some comfort and consolation to his two sons during his absence, he gave a precious jewel to each of them. Early this day the two sons of my good neighbour came to my house and asked to see me. I received them very politely in my humble apartment and asked them how I could be of service. They showed me their jewels and demanded that I should there and then explain to them both the various characteristics of the gems. I was also to point out the beauties [[49]]and flaws—if any—in the precious stones. They asked me to appraise their value and to decide which of the two was the better and the more valuable. I told them that there was no one so well qualified to answer all their questions as their dear father who happens to be an eminent authority on gems, for he is a jeweller. ‘Go,’ I said, ‘to your beloved father and let him decide, for he will tell you all you desire to know about the jewels, and whatever he tells you will be right and true.’ No sooner had I said this, when the two sons attacked me, striking me upon my head. They abused me, calling me ‘heretic and Jew,’ just because I tried to answer their question to the best of my ability.”
“Truly,” cried the King in a passion, “they have acted most shamefully; they deserve to be most severely punished.”
“Listen, O sire, to the words of your mouth,” rejoined Ephraim. “Two brothers were Esau and Jacob, and to each one did their father give a precious jewel. Now your Majesty likewise asks me to decide which is the better? Let your Majesty send a messenger to our Father in Heaven, for He is the greatest owner of jewels, and He will be able to explain exactly how the two jewels differ, and He will also tell your Majesty which of the two is the more precious.” [[50]]
With a smile on his face, King Pedro turned to Nicholas and said to him,—
“Do you not see how wisely this learned Jew has answered my question? He deserves to be rewarded not only for his wisdom but also for his toleration, for he implies that our religion and his own have both been given to humanity by our Heavenly Father, who, in His own good time, will decide which is the best religion. Meanwhile, let all men, be their faith what it may, learn to be brothers and friends, trusting that the time may come when love and charity will lead every one to the truth.”
Shebet Jehudah, pages 53, 54 (ed. Wiener).
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