A Basket Full of Figs

When the Emperor Hadrian rides into the village on his horse, the people hide in fear. All except for one: an old man who is almost a hundred years old. He comes outside to plant a fig tree. Hadrian stops his horse. “What are you doing?” he asks the old man. “That tree is so small and you’re so old! You won’t live long enough to eat its fruit!” “Well,” the old man replies, “If I don’t, then my children will eat them!” Three years later, Hadrian returns. Meeting the old man again, he is surprised to see that the tree has grown and is covered in figs. The old man’s prophecy of gifts for future generations has come true! Recreating one of the Midrash’s most beautiful tales, A Basket of Figs teaches the importance of caring for the environment and consideration for our fellow human beings.