“You are wise beyond your years, Tuvia. Where did you learn so much?”

Tuvia and the captain sat by the railing of the ship as endless miles of ocean passed before their eyes. The waves lapping against the side of the boat sprayed them both from head to toe with a mist of salty sea water, but they did not mind at all.

“Captain… I can’t stop thinking about that pearl you gave away so easily to Oliver. It was almost like it had no value to you.”

“Well, it did.” The captain looked at Tuvia. “A part of me still greatly desires treasures. I am no saint. But I also know that there is something far more important in This World that I can attain, something much more valuable and longer lasting than material desires. I believe with all of my heart in Olam Haba, the World to Come, and I know the day will come when I will no longer be on this earth and the only things I can enjoy will not be pearls and rubies, rather only the closeness I will have with Hashem by doing mitzvos and learning Torah.”

“That’s even more impressive. You had to fight to give up the pearl and that’s so meaningful. You’ve become exactly what we discussed many moons ago. You are a true warrior, someone who has conquered their yetzer hara.”

“I’m sure many battles still lie ahead, Tuvia. My struggle with the evil inclination is far from over.”

“True, I will agree with that. We are all constantly in danger of being ensnared by the yetzer hara, up until the day we pass into the Next World. Hashem gives us many opportunities to beat the yetzer hara and earn more reward by achieving ever increasing degrees of closeness with Him.”

“You are wise beyond your years, Tuvia. Where did you learn so much?”

“I am blessed to have wonderful parents and an exceptional rebbi. He is my mentor and role model. He is extremely wise and pious.”

“I wish I had someone like that to teach me.”