THE COINS of ELIJAH
by Unknown · from Jewish fairy stories
Adapted Version
Once, there was a kind man. He was poor. He worked hard every day. He still helped other people.
One day, a stranger came. The stranger said, "I can give you money for six years." He asked, "When do you want it?" The man said, "No."
The stranger asked again. The man said, "No." He thought the stranger had no money.
The stranger asked a third time. The man said, "I will ask my wife."
He ran home. He told his wife. His wife said, "Take the money now."
The man went back. He told the stranger, "Yes, I want the money now."
The stranger gave the man some coins. He said, "I will come back in six years." Then he went away.
The man felt happy. His son was in the yard. His son found treasure in the ground. The family was very glad.
They said, "We will help others with this money."
For six years, they gave food and clothes to people. They wrote it down in a book.
After six years, the stranger came back. The man asked his wife. She showed the stranger the book of good deeds.
The stranger was happy. He said, "You are good. Keep the money and coins." He was a helper.
They lived well. They kept the coins for their family.
Being kind and sharing brings good things.
Original Story
THE COINS OF ELIJAH
ELIJAH BESTOWS HIS GIFT.
The Coins of Elijah
Once upon a time there was a really pious man who was ever ready to assist all who needed his help. Prosperity and happiness smiled upon him. Year in and year out all went well with him and his dear ones. All of a sudden a change took place. The business which he carried on proved to be gradually showing a loss instead of the former profit. Trade began to dwindle, the regular customers died or moved away. Bad debts increased and eventually the entire fortune of the good man was lost. In order to provide for the daily needs of his wife and children he worked in the fields as a labourer paid by the day. The day’s work was long and hard, but a good heart and a willing spirit enabled him to overcome all difficulties. He even spared a coin of his wages to help those in a worse plight than he found himself.
Now it happened one day whilst he was engaged in ploughing a field that a stranger approached and greeted him, saying,—
“Peace be to thee and to all thy house.”
He replied,—
“Peace be also to thee and thine.”
The stranger then continued,—
“Friend, I come to tell thee that thou art destined to regain thy fortune and to live in affluence for a period of six years during thy life here on earth. It is thine to choose when this period shall begin; shall it be now or later in life?”
Astonished at the strange words which he had heard, the labourer looked at his companion to see if he was dreaming.
“Good stranger,” he cried, “art thou a prophet or a magician that thou speakest in this wise? I fear thou art a poor man even as I am. Go thy way in peace, for I cannot help thee to-day, for I am penniless at the moment. I should be happy to give thee a fee for thy happy forecast, but I cannot give what I have not got. Go in peace and may Heaven send thee help.”
The stranger went away and the labourer resumed his work without thinking any more of the strange conversation which he had just had. After a short interval the stranger returned and repeated the offer, only to be refused. When, however, for the third time he urged the unwilling labourer to accept his gift by believing in the proffered promise, the poor toiler, weary of his hard daily struggle in the fields, at last consented to consult his wife before coming to a decision. A glimmer of hope in the possibility of the promise had arisen in his heart.
“Perhaps, after all,” he thought, “kind Providence has sent this messenger to help me in my dire distress and that now the poverty which has harassed me and my dear ones will be replaced by wealth and prosperity.”
He ran home as quickly as his legs would carry him and told his wife all that had transpired. He emphasized the insistence displayed by the stranger. He said to his wife,—
“Assuming that the stranger is speaking the truth and that I am to be rich for a period of six years, when do you advise me to choose our time of prosperity—now or later in life?”
After a moment’s consideration she cried,—
“Now, now.”
Her husband returned to the field without further delay and found the stranger awaiting his decision. When the labourer told him his wish to enjoy there and then the promised wealth and prosperity, the stranger opened his purse and took out two pieces of silver.
“Here, my friend,” he said, “take these two coins and return them to me six years hence when I shall call on thee. Do not forget I shall require my money to be restored to me when I come to demand it.”
After the labourer had taken the coins he thanked his benefactor and promised to return the gift as arranged. In a second the stranger had disappeared; no trace of the direction he had taken was discerned by the labourer, who also recalled the fact that the stranger had come upon him all of a sudden.
“Very strange,” he said; “there is some mystery about this stranger, he seems to come from nowhere and to return to the same place.”
No sooner had the labourer placed the silver coins in his pocket than he perceived a sudden change coming over him. He no longer felt the same man. His poverty and sorrow fled away from him and a new feeling of contentment and security arose in his heart. He bowed his head in gratitude and thanked God for His manifold mercies.
Meanwhile, wonderful events were occurring in his home. His eldest son was turning the soil in the garden at the back of their house, when he saw gold glittering in the sunlight. He dug deeper and deeper and continued to find the precious metal; in fact there was evidently a treasure which had been lying hidden there all the years of their poverty. The young man cried aloud in his joy. His mother and her other sons came to see what was amiss. As soon as she saw what was happening she sent her youngest son to his father. She said,—
“Do not fail to tell him that God has given us back our fortune.”
Before the door of their house, however, stood the father. In a moment he was with his wife and children, and uniting with them gave thanks to Him who giveth and taketh away.
The pious man and his virtuous wife resolved to make good use of their wealth as long as it was entrusted to their care. They were very happy because they were now in a position to help the poor who so sorely needed their assistance. The wife said to her good husband,—
“My dear, we must not forget that our prosperity will not last for ever. We are to be rich for six years only. Let us during this period feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and assist the needy. We shall always have the satisfaction of knowing that we made other people happy during the years of our good fortune. We shall be happy in realizing that we have made good use of our trust.”
“Verily,” he said, “the law of kindness is on thy tongue.”
Not a day passed without an occasion offering itself to these good people to bestow their wealth upon those less fortunate than themselves. They did not fail in seizing every opportunity of doing an act of charity and kindness. The youngest son was told by his mother to keep an account of their own expenses and also an account of the money given in alms.
The six years passed like a dream. One day the expected benefactor came to their house, and after receiving a warm welcome turned to his host and said,—
“The six years have passed and I have come to ask thee to return my money.”
The pious man exclaimed,—
“Dear friend! Thy demand is quite fair and just. Yet, stay! I accepted thy gift only after I had consulted my wife, and now before I repay my debt, I must again ask her advice.”
Whereupon he turned to his wife who was present and said to her,—
“Beloved wife! please advise me how am I to repay our debt to our generous benefactor here?”
“Let me,” she cried, “settle accounts with him.” Turning to him she said, “I will show thee how we have spent the fortune entrusted to our care through thy kindness. Behold the account books.”
The kind stranger looked with deep interest at the long lists recording the money spent in charity.
“You have, indeed,” he cried, “spent plenty of money.”
“But, good sir!” she added, “if thou dost believe for a moment that thy money might be entrusted to better guardians, take away then thy gift. If, on the other hand, thou art satisfied with the manner in which we have used the wealth placed in our care, then let us continue to hold our trust.”
Thereupon the stranger, who was Elijah the prophet, blessed the good couple and bade them enjoy the wealth they knew so well how to use. In a moment the prophet had departed and the happy couple kept his coins and bequeathed them to their eldest son as a family heirloom.
Yalḳuṭ, Ruth §§ 607, 601.
Story DNA
Moral
True wealth lies not in accumulation, but in using one's resources to help others, which in turn secures lasting blessings.
Plot Summary
A once-wealthy, pious man loses his fortune but continues to practice charity as a day laborer. A mysterious stranger, revealed to be the prophet Elijah, offers him six years of prosperity, asking him to choose when it should begin. After consulting his wise wife, who advises 'now', the man accepts, receives two silver coins, and immediately discovers a hidden treasure. For six years, the couple diligently uses their wealth for extensive charitable giving, keeping meticulous records. When Elijah returns to reclaim his coins, the wife presents the account books, demonstrating their exemplary stewardship, leading Elijah to bless them with enduring prosperity.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Yalḳuṭ Shimoni is a compilation of aggadic midrashim (rabbinic homilies and narratives) on the books of the Hebrew Bible, indicating a long tradition of such stories within Jewish culture.
Plot Beats (14)
- A pious, charitable man experiences a sudden loss of fortune and becomes a day laborer, yet continues to give to those less fortunate.
- A stranger approaches the man in the field, offering him six years of wealth, and asks him to choose when this period should begin.
- The man, thinking the stranger is poor, dismisses the offer twice.
- On the third insistence, the man agrees to consult his wife about the offer.
- His wife immediately advises him to choose prosperity now.
- The man returns to the stranger and accepts the offer for immediate prosperity.
- The stranger gives the man two silver coins, stating he will return for them in six years, and then vanishes mysteriously.
- Upon receiving the coins, the man feels a change, and his eldest son discovers a hidden treasure in their garden.
- The family rejoices and resolves to use their wealth wisely for charity, with the wife emphasizing the temporary nature of their fortune.
- They diligently spend their six years feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and assisting the needy, keeping detailed accounts.
- After six years, the stranger returns to reclaim his coins.
- The man consults his wife again, who presents the stranger with the account books of their charitable expenditures.
- The stranger, revealed to be the prophet Elijah, is deeply impressed by their stewardship and blesses them, allowing them to keep their wealth and the coins.
- The couple continues to live in prosperity and passes the coins down as a family heirloom.
Characters
The Pious Man
A man of average height and build, with hands calloused from years of labor in the fields. His face shows the lines of hardship and worry from his impoverished years, but also a deep-seated kindness. Likely of Middle Eastern descent, with olive skin.
Attire: Initially, simple, worn peasant clothing: a loose-fitting tunic of coarse linen, perhaps a simple vest, and sturdy trousers, all in muted earth tones, likely patched. Later, after regaining wealth, he would wear more refined, yet still modest, garments of fine wool or linen, possibly a simple, unadorned robe or tunic with a sash, reflecting his continued piety and charitable nature.
Wants: To provide for his family, to live righteously, and to help those less fortunate.
Flaw: Initially, his humility and self-doubt make him hesitant to accept help or believe in good fortune.
He transforms from a struggling, humble laborer burdened by poverty to a prosperous and influential benefactor, learning to accept divine grace and use wealth for the greater good, while retaining his core virtues.
Pious, charitable, hardworking, humble, grateful, considerate.
The Virtuous Wife
A woman of modest build, her face showing the resilience and wisdom gained from both hardship and prosperity. Likely of Middle Eastern descent, with olive skin.
Attire: Initially, simple, practical garments of coarse fabric in muted colors, such as a long, modest dress or tunic with a head covering. After regaining wealth, she would wear more refined, yet still modest, dresses of fine linen or cotton, perhaps with subtle embroidery, and a more elegant head covering, reflecting her continued virtue and charitable spirit.
Wants: To ensure her family's well-being and to use their prosperity to help others, especially the poor.
Flaw: None explicitly stated, she appears to be a pillar of strength and wisdom.
She remains a steadfast and wise figure throughout the story, guiding her family's decisions and embodying the principles of charity and good stewardship.
Wise, practical, charitable, decisive, virtuous, supportive.
Elijah the Prophet
A mysterious and venerable figure, appearing as an ordinary stranger but possessing an aura of ancient wisdom and power. His appearance is humble, yet his presence commands attention. Likely of Middle Eastern descent, with a weathered but noble face.
Attire: Simple, flowing robes of undyed or earth-toned linen, suggesting humility and a life of travel. Perhaps a staff, but not explicitly mentioned. His attire is not opulent, but carries a sense of timelessness.
Wants: To test the piety and stewardship of the good man and his wife, and to reward their virtue.
Flaw: None, as he is a divine messenger or prophet.
He serves as a catalyst for the protagonist's transformation, revealing himself as a divine figure at the end, confirming the couple's virtue.
Mysterious, benevolent, wise, testing, observant.
The Eldest Son
A young man, likely lean and strong from working in the fields. Of Middle Eastern descent, with an olive complexion.
Attire: Simple, practical peasant clothing: a short-sleeved tunic of coarse fabric and trousers, suitable for working in the garden, in muted earth tones.
Wants: To help his family by working in the garden.
Flaw: None explicitly stated.
He experiences the sudden change in fortune, becoming the inheritor of the family heirloom.
Diligent, joyful, obedient.
The Youngest Son
A young boy, likely small and agile. Of Middle Eastern descent, with an olive complexion.
Attire: Simple, child-sized tunic and trousers of coarse fabric, in muted colors.
Wants: To assist his mother and family.
Flaw: None explicitly stated.
He takes on the responsibility of keeping the family's accounts, symbolizing the family's new role as stewards of wealth.
Obedient, helpful, diligent.
Locations
The Ploughing Field
An open agricultural field, likely dry and dusty from ongoing cultivation, under the sun. The ground is turned over by a plough, revealing fresh earth.
Mood: Laborious, humble, initially despairing but then hopeful
The laborer is working when he is approached by the stranger (Elijah) who offers him wealth. He accepts the two silver coins here.
The Humble Home and Garden
A modest, simple dwelling, likely a rural house, with a small garden at the back. The house is probably built of local materials, reflecting the family's initial poverty. The garden soil is where a hidden treasure is discovered.
Mood: Initially poor and sorrowful, then suddenly joyful and prosperous
The laborer's son discovers a hidden treasure of gold in the garden, marking the immediate beginning of their prosperity. Later, Elijah visits this home to reclaim his 'money'.