“It’s not only today ” he answered. “I think I’m growing old. I never used to be so tired after a day’s work. I don’t even have the energy to smile. My happy frame of mind seems to have disappeared.” He sipped his tea and shook his head sadly.

“Maybe it’s the time of year. The Nine Days before Tisha B’Av are not a happy time. You’ll feel better after the fast. And of course you could work a bit less. Then you wouldn’t be so tired” said Mrs. Mitzvah.

“I can’t work less. If someone needs stitches or has an earache I can’t tell them to come back tomorrow.”

“You don’t have to take care of everything. Someone else can take care of the plants and the animals!” she insisted.

“But I’m a Doctor of Mostly Everything! If I don’t do it who will? Cedarville needs a Doctor of Mostly Everything but maybe it’s time to look for someone younger. Someone with more happy energy. I just don’t feel smiley enough anymore.”

So Dr. Mitzvah began to look for someone to take his place.