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clever for me! I can never fool you.”
    â€œYou try it all the time—but I like it. Do you think the goose will ever be able to fly again?”
    â€œYes! I will feed him and care for him until he is strong. Then he can go south to join his flock.”
    The two talked for some time, but finally Jacob fell silent. Reisa knew that something was on his mind and just simply waited.
    Finally Jacob sighed heavily and turned to face Reisa. “Daughter, I have some news that is not pleasant.”
    â€œIs it something the mayor told you?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œI knew he gave you bad news. What is it?”
    â€œIt may never come, but I must have you prepared, my Reisa.” Jacob had trouble framing the words, but finally he took one of her hands in his. “There may be trouble coming from the government.”
    Instantly Reisa understood. “A pogrom, Zaideh?”
    â€œYes.”
    Neither of them spoke, and the only sound in the room was the sputtering of the fire. Every Jew lived under the shadow of the pogroms—government attacks on the Jewish community. They were frightful persecutions, including the massacre of entire communities of Jews.
    Boris got up, arched his back, and came over to nuzzle Reisa’s calf. She picked him up and stroked his fur. “It will be all right. The Master of the Universe will take care of us.”
    â€œYou believe that, Reisa?”
    â€œYes. Does it not say in the book of Deuteronomy, ‘If a bird’s nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, though shalt not take the dam with the young.’ So if the Eternal One cares for a little bird, he will care for us.”
    Keeping one hand on Boris’s thick fur, she stretched out the other, putting it on her grandfather’s thin shoulders, and stated again firmly, “He who cares for a tiny bird—or a big goose—will care for us!”

    On the Wednesday after the feast, Yelena Petrov appeared early at Reisa’s door, her broad face flushed with excitement. “You must come with me, Reisa,” she said urgently. “My cousin Sonya is getting married today in Kitzel.”
    Reisa smiled at Yelena, but shook her head. “I’ve got too much to do, Yelena.”
    â€œDon’t be such an old woman! You need to get out and have some fun.”
    â€œMy grandfather would never let me go.”
    Yelena grasped Reisa’s arm and shook it urgently. “My father would never let me go alone, but he said if you’d go with me, he’d consent. There’ll be lots of good food and dancing and music. There’ll be some good-looking men there, too.” Her eyes sparkled and she urged, “Let me talk to your grandfather. I can talk him into letting you go with me. Where is he?”
    â€œHe’s studying, but—”
    Reisa’s protests were cut short, for Yelena simply hustled her inside and began at once to bombard Jacob with pleas. Jacob listened with amusement for a time, then said, “How will you get to Kitzel and when will you be back?”
    â€œMy uncle is going to the wedding, and we can ride in his wagon. We can stay at my cousin’s house. We’ll be back tomorrow before dark, I promise. Oh, please, Reb, let Reisa go! She needs to have a good time.”
    Jacob was well aware that his granddaughter had few pleasures, and after inquiring into the arrangements carefully, he said, “Very well, but have your uncle stop by before you leave.”
    Reisa went to her grandfather and gave him a hug. “Now promise you won’t worry about me,” she said.
    â€œI won’t promise that, but you have a good time.”
    â€œI’ll bring you some of the wedding feast,” Yelena said. “Now, get your things ready, Reisa. My uncle wants to leave soon.”
    The two girls made their