The Wise Student

Two rabbinical students were caught by the Rabbi gambling and
drinking in the company of undesirable characters -- even before
the sun set on the evening of Shabat.

The Rabbi called them into his study the next day. Both confessed
to having given in to weakness, and admitted that they deserved
punishment. The Rabbi thought and then went into his kitchen and
brought back two bags of dried peas.

"Put these in your shoes my sons," he told them, "and walk on them
for a week, to remind yourself how hard life can be when you turn
away from the Teachings of Moses."

Towards the end of the week the two students met. One was limping
terribly, had dark circles under his eyes, and looked exhausted.
The other seemed much as he had been the week before.

"Hey," said the first. "How is it that you are walking so freely.
Did you not do as the Rabbi told us and put the peas in your shoes."

"Of course I did Moishe," said the other. "After all, how could I
disobey the Rabbi?" He started to walk away, paused and then said,
"But I boiled them first."