Big Berel Outsmarts the Robber

Translated to English from a Folk story with a moral as told by Rabbi Nahman from Breslov

Big Berel was a traveling salesman. He often went on long trips in Eastern Europe & Western Russia to sell his goods in order to earn a living for his family.

One day on his way back after being away from home for several months, he was attacked by an armed robber. The robber pointed a gun at Berel & demanded, "Give me all your money".

Berel, unarmed & caught by surprise helpless said, "Okay - Okay, I'll give you all that I have, just don't hurt me. Let me get back to my family alive & sound."

The robber happily took every penny that Berel had. As the robber turned to go off, Berel called after him.

"Wait! How can I go home after having been away for such a long time without any money to show for my effort & absence? I can't return to my family with nothing & yet have no proof of having been robbed."

Berel said on, "Please mister robber, do me a favor, take out your gun & shoot a hole in my hat. Then I can show everyone that I really was assaulted by an armed robber." Berel then put his hat on the ground.

The robber thought this was funny but agreed & shot a hole in Berel's hat. Berel then said, "Let's make it look really good. Put a few more holes in the hat." The robber shot the hat again & again. Finally announced, "Well that's it, I have no more bullets."

"No more bullets you say? Great!" Said Berel & jumped at the robber grabbed him by the neck & clobbered him soundly. Berel took his money back tossed the robbers gun far away & went home.

That is how Big Berel outsmarted the armed robber & got home with his hard earned money.

EPILOGUE: