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.