Maggid of Mezeritch

Today, the 19th of Kislev, is the yahrzeit of the Maggid of Mezritch. Here is a story about the Maggid that I have always enjoyed:

When the Maggid of Mezeritch was but five years old a fire consumed his parent’s home and its contents. Noting his mother’s grief the child asked her:

"Mother, is it right to grieve that much for the loss of our home?"

"Heaven forbid," his mother answered, "I do not grieve over the loss of our home but over the document of our family-tree that was burned with it. For this document traced our descent to Rabbi Yochanan HaSandler who was direct descendent of King David!"

"If so," said the young boy, "I shall start for you a new dynasty…"