When people betray our high expectations of them, we need to search for explanations which exonerate their behavior. It's a mitzvah, and besides, we'll feel better about others and about ourselves. Want to avoid a lot of needless aggravation? Always remember...

When Something's a Miss, Something's a Foot

Gloom pervaded Chaim's lonely car. He had cut his date short, dropped the young lady off at her house and headed home. He'd heard such wonderful things about the young lady, too. "Such wonderful character traits, such personality, so refined," the matchmaker had said. Chaim had been looking forward to a wonderful evening. Instead, his evening was filled with annoyance and resentment provoked by a very unpleasant smell, an odor that entered the car when she did, which followed them to the cafe, and which lingered in the air even after he dropped her off. What kind of person was this who didn't know enough to shower before a date? What kind of parents did she have? Chaim was angry at everyone, especially at the matchmaker for suggesting he meet such a person. As Chaim walked into his house, he heard his sister call out: "Chaim, the rug! Look what you're tracking in onto the rug!" Chaim looked down. In horror he discovered a piece of refuse stuck to his shoe. He must have acquired it when he first walked his date from her house to his car!

The Other Side of the Story Archives

Based on "The Other Side of the Story" by Mrs. Yehudis Samet, ArtScroll Series

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