Elijah the Slave

by Isaac Bashevis Singer (Adapter), Elizabeth Shub (Translator), Antonio Frasconi (Illustrator)

A Hebrew legend in which a messenger from God sells himself into slavery in order to help a poor scribe.

31 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Isaac Bashevis Singer was a Polish American author of Jewish descent, noted for his short stories. He was one of the leading figures in the Yiddish literary movement, and received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1978.
His memoir, "A Day Of Pleasure: Stories of a Boy Growing Up in Warsaw", won the U.S. National Book Award in Children's Literature in 1970, while his collection "A Crown of Feathers and Other Stories" won the U.S. National Book Award in Fiction in 1974.

Reviews

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elijah the Slave by Isaac Bashevis Singer (Adapter), Illustrator Antonio Frasconi – Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates a Hebrew legend of the story of Elijah, the slave. Tobias is a poor scribe who copies religious book for a living. Tobias resides in a city where the people are rich. The city has many palaces, gardens, broad roads, & parks. Poor resided in lanes with dilapidated houses with leaking roofs. Tobias lived in this lane with his wife Panina, three sons and two daughters. One day his right hand became stiff; thus Tobias was not able to write. Therefore, he could not earn and get food for his family. His sons could not go to school as they did not have shoes to wear. Cats left his house because of hunger. Tobias’s neighbours proposed to help him but Tobias refused saying that “God will help him and his family”. Panina asked her husband Tobias to go out, she borrowed a coat, a cap and a pair of shoes from her neighbor. Panina wishes him luck. When Tobias reaches the market, he finds an unknown person wearing a long coat. His person has a white beard. He is carrying a stick. When he reaches near Tobias, he catches Tobias’s hand and presses softly. Immediately Tobias feels strength in his hand, his hand is cured. Tobias is astonished at the recovery of his hand. He enquires about the name of the person. He informs that his name is Elijah and his is Tobias’s slave. I have been sent from Heaven with the instruction for you that “you must take me to the slave market and sell me to the highest bidder.” Tobias responds that “if you have arrived from Heaven, I am your slave. Therefore, how can a slave sell?” Elijah asks him follow his instructions. They reach the slave trade market. Rick buyer are impressed by the simplicity of Elijah. One buyer enquires what Elijah can do for them. Can a construct a large palace? Elijah collects pieces of wood and constructs a model of a palace. The buyer says that if Elijah is able to construct such a palace, he will free him on completion of construction. The rich man buys Elijah for 08 lakh Gulden (currency) which is paid to Tobias. Tobias reaches home and informs his family. They are happy. First decision which Tobias takes is that he donates ten percent of his income to the poor and needy. Elijah prays to God to help him construct the model palace. Heaven sends its emissaries for help. By morning, the construction of the palace is complete within one night. The rich man is impressed to view his palace. Elijah request the rich man to free him according to his promise. The rich man declares that Elijah is no more a slave, he is free now. The rich man bows down before Elijah. God looks at the earth and smiles. His emissaries take Elijah with them and fly to Heaven. Message God is kind to all. God always looks after the poor, needy and about those who trust Him. Coloured illustrations help the reader to relate to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book. This is a motivating book.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated, simple tale. I read it because Flea recommended it in Acid for the Children.