And yet the thought of the wise man who could help him to immortality proved too attractive.

People came over the bare hills who told of the teacher at the other extreme of the desert, how He gathered at times all kinds of people round Him and spoke of the everlasting Kingdom of God.

And so the swaying litter went on farther, and the next day reached the valley through dry rocky ravines, and found there a few olive and fig trees.
People crowded round one of the fig trees; they were for the most part poor, sad-looking creatures, miserable outcasts wandering, homeless and loveless, here and there.

Clothed in scanty rags, their forms bent, they turned their faces towards the tree, for there He stood and spoke.
"Be ye not sad nor cast down.

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