The Suit

There is an old Yiddish folk tale about a young man who left his village to seek his fortune. When he returned he went to the finest tailor in the city and asked that he make him a suit exactly like the one he made for Rabinowitz, the town's most successful citizen. On the final fitting day, the young man notices that one sleeve is too long. "Oh, just hold your arm like this" says the tailor pulling up his left arm. Then the young man notices that the shoulders don't fit. "Just lean this way," says the tailor hunching up his right shoulder. One leg is too short. "Stand like this," says the tailor bending his knee. And, sure enough, it works. The young man leaves the store, bent over and hobbling along. Across the street two old ladies notice him. "Oh my, look at that poor young man" says one. And the other replies, "Yes, but look how well his suit fits!"