Yeshiva University - Masmid Yearbook (New York, NY)

Page 19 text:

Great darkness and horror fell upon Pilgrim. He began to inquire if there were no other way around the gate, to which Hypocrisy answered. Yes. but there hath not been anyone permitted to tread that path since its foundation. But if you will, we shall make the attempt, for I am truly your friend. Then said Pilgrim. Seemingly, thou art. That evening, they prepared to bed down by the road, but in the darkness they took the path around thetollgate. They followed the road throughout the night with- out much difficulty, for strangely, it bore the tracks of many men and sprouted no undergrowth. As dawn approached, they caught up with the man who had gone thro ugh the to II gate effortlessly. Pilgrim asked. How art thee called? The stranger replied. I am known as Inadequacy.

Page 18 text:

Pilgrim searched for his cow but it had crossed the gate and now grazed on the other side. He said, Howam I to collect my milk if my cow has es- caped from me? Then said Incom- petence, You may cross on condi- tion that you leave behind something of value. Then said Pilgrim mourn- fully, I am dreadful of my condition, for I have not a thing of importance. Incompetence asked, Do you value the vessel now in your possession? Pilgrim replied, Yes, but without it, I am lost. Yes, but if you do notyield it, you may proceed no further, answered Incompetence. Then said Pilgrim, Yes, but without it I am hindered as well. Incompetence ex- claimed, Do not question my competence! Pilgrim reluctantly returned the sieve to Incompetence. Thereupon he crossed the stile and retrieved his cow. He set himself to the task of milking, but found it impossi- ble. He exclaimed, What a fool I am to attempt to ex- tract this exacting measure. I had no credentials in my bosom, and neither does my bovine companion. Oh! What hardship and terror I have undergone. And nowthe deepest hurt of all to discover that this animal is as much a cow as I am. At this Incompetence fell into a grievous rage and declared, Seeing as thou hast disobeyed my counsel it shall be worse with thee than if thee had never been born. Then said Hypocrisy to Pilgrim, Thou seest that I am still here with thee, a far weaker man by nature t hen thou art. Do not be afraid for let us exercise a bit more patience. You must understand that Incompetence must not let anyone trespass upon these grounds with- out having paid his toll. And as he yet spoke, a pitiful figure drew up to the tollgate and without the difficulty that Pilgrim had just met, the gatekeeper helped him cross. Neither did he meet with the least discourage- ment. But when he came to the gate he knocked at the door, opened it, and passed directly through. I beheld that he was, by nature, cold; his mouth was large, and his belly much would hold. Pilgrim, upset and bewildered, sought an answer to the puzzling occurrence. Hypocrisy quickly responded, You will later receive the comforts of all your toil, and joy for all your suffering. As for now do not lose faith, nor question others, for here we live by tradition.

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Then asked Pilgrim, Where are your credentials, for you pass with such ease? Inadequacy replied, Just as the rest of the world does. Pilgrim persisted, But what have you to show at the gate that you pass through? Inadequacy responded, I do my best to lead a good life. However, I find that I am missing much, and for this, they pity me and let me pass. My needs, then, are, in truth, my credentials. What be these needs of which thou speaketh? asked Pilgrim. Then said Inadequacy, My life is filled with fear and doubt. I have passions bottled within me, yearning to burst forth, but forced to stagnate. I was given a plow and I toiled all the day and parted the earth, but for what purpose? I was given no seed and what grew wild also died, for I was given no water. They placed me on a farm to learn from the master farmers the way that a field should be tendered in order to flourish. But their words proved empty and void of truth. When I sought their counsel, they were as elusive as the morning dew. Then said Hypocrisy to Pilgrim, Nay, heed not his counsel, for his words are those of fools and malcontents. Let us tarry no longer, and be on our way. And I beheld that they contin- ued down the path until they came upon a forest.