In time of drought the sages sent to Abba Hilkiah to pray for rain. They found him digging in the field and he did not reply to their greeting. In the evening, returning home, the sages followed silently. He carried his faggots on one shoulder and his mantle on the other. Crossing the river he put on his shoes; passing through thorns he lifted his clothes. His wife met him beautifully dressed, and when they reached home, he did not invite the sages to the meal. He then gave one piece of bread to the elder and two to the younger son. After the meal, he and his wife went on the roof to pray. Clouds gathered in the corner where the woman was praying and rain fell as they came down. He then asked the sages what their errand was. They replied that he should intercede for them for rain. He said it was now no longer necessary but they maintained that they knew that that was through his merit, and prayer. Then they asked him to explain his curious action. He said he did not reply to their greeting, so as not to waste time as he worked as a hireling. He carried the faggots on one shoulder and not on the mantle which had been lent to him to wear. He put on his shoes when crossing the river for he could not see what was lying at the bottom and so avoid it. He lifted his clothes because scratches could heal but tears in his clothes could not be
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mended. The wife met him beautifully dressed to please him and so that he should not look upon another woman. They had not enough to eat and it would have been wrong to invite them and receive thanks for nothing. The elder son being always in the house could satisfy himself, but the younger boy was all day at school and came home hungry. The reason why the cloud had gathered on that side was because a woman in the house can feed the poor, whilst the man could only give money to buy the food. Hence her merit is greater.