Once there lived a man who had a valley-full of needles.  And 
one day the mother of Jesus came to him and said:  “Friend, my 
son’s garment is torn and I must needs mend it before he goeth 
to the temple. Wouldst thou not give me a needle?” 
    And he gave her not a needle, but he gave her a learned 
discourse on Giving and Taking to carry to her son before he 
should go to the temple.