11/15/01

A journalist assigned to the Jerusalem bureau takes an apartment
overlooking the historic Western Wall. Every day when she looks
out, she sees an old bearded Jewish man praying vigorously.
Certain he would be a good interview subject, the journalist goes
down to the Wall and introduces herself to the old man.

She asks, "You come every day to the Wall, sir. How long have you
been doing that and what are you praying for?"

The old man replies, "I have come here to pray every day for 25
years. In the morning I pray for world peace and for the
brotherhood of man. I go home, have a cup of tea, and I come back
and pray for the eradication of illness and disease from the
earth. And very, very important: I pray for peace and
understanding between the Israelis and Palestinians."

The journalist is very impressed. "How does it make you feel to
come here every day for 25 years and pray for these wonderful
things?" she asks.

The old man replies calmly, "Like I'm talking to a wall."