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The eloquent short stories and parables of Safed the sage - a
character created by author William Barton - offer moral teachings
and thought-provoking vignettes of humanity. Dozens of short yet
memorable stories comprise this volume, which seeks to promote the
virtues and good deeds that make a life worth living. Sometimes the
tales are simple observations of life, of chance encounters and
choices made that goes on to make a positive difference. Other
times the stories highlight the worthiness of qualities such as
kindness, reassurance, listening, and rendering assistance to those
in crisis or need. Many of the parables in this text, while
inspired by examples found in the Bible, are unique - not least for
their setting in a time where railways and electricity were already
a fact of life. In all, Safed the sage is a wise and eloquent
guide, using his parabolic skills to demonstrate what constitutes
the eternal attributes of human decency.
Safed the Sage, the famous parable-telling creation of William
Eleazar Barton, emerges to dispense poignant portions of worldly
wisdom. For the author, parables are an underappreciated method of
tutoring others in morality, of introducing the comparisons and
contrasts of life and its events, that they gain a grounding in
dealing with affairs wisely and with discernment. For William
Barton, gaining this insight via anecdotes is a stepping down to
reflecting the condition of the heavenly kingdoms spoken about in
the Christian lore. The origin of the Safed the Sage series - which
went on to span several books, that together had millions of
readers in the USA and elsewhere - is explained. Barton set about
writing a modern take on old parables, wherein a man and wife
travelling the country relate stories as they journey around by
rail, steamboat or otherwise.
The keen wit expressed in the parables of Safed, a modern-day sage
who dispenses his wisdom on travels around the United States, were
favorites when first published in the 1910s. Originally part of a
magazine series, the Safed parables are short, thoughtful and often
amusing. Readers in need of a lesson, or wanting to reflect on the
various challenges and events of life, reacted with admiration and
joy. Spurred by many popular requests, over the years William
Eleazar Barton placed hundreds of his best Safed parables in book
form. The majority were written during the journeys of Barton and
his wife (who herself took the role of Keturah in the parables) -
as a result we often see allusions to the beauty of the great
outdoors, of nature and animal life. Although from a different time
and characterized by folksy, old-time language, the lessons
dispensed by the good-humored Safed carry a timeless quality; the
eternal traits, follies and triumphs of humanity are explored.
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