I

n a daze, Yitzy picked himself up off the floor and sat back down on his chair. He turned to his father and was about to ask him something, when suddenly, Mr. Burtman jumped out of his chair and began to shout.

“What?” he screamed. “Uncle Irving gave some kid his whole building, and all I get is a worthless, old shack? It’s not fair!”

Mr. Blum grew very nervous.

“Now, now,” he said, “let’s all remain calm.”

“How can I be calm?” retorted Mr. Burtman. “That building is worth a fortune, and now this kid is going to get it instead of me. He’s not even related to my uncle.”

Yitzy was scared. He did not like the way the man was pointing angrily at him and shouting.

Mr. Blum cleared his throat loudly.

“Harumph! Please, Mr. Burtman,” said the lawyer. “I still have a lot more to say, and I think you will be interested in what it is.”

Mr. Burtman grew a little calmer. He turned to give the Levinsons an angry stare. Then, muttering angrily to himself, he sat back down.

The Levinsons all looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders.

Mr. Blum continued reading.

“The gift of this building to Yitzy Levinson will only take place if Yitzy fulfills certain conditions.”

Yitzy’s eyes grew wide.

“What kind of conditions?” asked Rabbi Levinson.

Herbert J. Blum lifted the pile of papers in his hand and cleared his throat again.

“Ahem! I will now continue reading from Mr. Greenbaum’s notes,” he said.

“I, Irving Greenbaum, am only giving my building to Yitzy Levinson if he fulfills certain conditions. If he does not, then the building shall be given to my nephew Joseph Burtman, instead.”

A smile suddenly formed on Mr. Burtman’s face.

Everyone listened eagerly as Mr. Blum began to read the conditions.

“In order for Yitzy to get the building, he will have to study hard and do well on certain tests.”

Yitzy groaned softly. Oh no, he thought to himself. Didn’t I tell Mr. Greenbaum a hundred times that I hate studying?

Mr. Blum continued reading.

“In order for Yitzy to get my building, he will have to study hard for his school’s Mishnayos competition.”

Yitzy covered his face with his hands and groaned softly.

“And,” continued Mr. Blum, “he will also have to receive a grade of 100 on his next math test.”

Yitzy couldn’t control himself any longer.

“OH NO!” he blurted out. “I have to win the Mishnayos competition and get 100 on a math test? That’s impossible.”

Mr. Burtman turned to Yitzy, smiled, and rubbed his hands together greedily. Maybe he would he would be the one getting the building after all!

Mr. Blum turned to Yitzy.

“There is one more condition,” he said. “You, Yitzy Levinson, are forbidden to tell anyone about this. You may not tell your friends, and you may not even tell your siblings.”

(Excerpted from Mishpacha Jr., Issue 754)