In a sunny country town, there was a Jewish man named Samuel who had a cow. The cow was a magnificent milking cow and very helpful on the man's farm. Every Sabbath, the cow got to rest. But one day, Samuel didn't have enough money and had to sell his cow to someone else who wasn't Jewish.
The new owner tried to make the cow work every day, even on Sabbath. But on Sabbath, the cow just wouldn't move! She sat down and refused to work, no matter how much the new owner tried. She wouldn't give him milk, and she wouldn't help plow the fields.
The new owner was puzzled and went back to Samuel, asking for help. He said to Samuel, "Excuse me, but I think your cow is broken. From Friday at Sunset to Saturday at Sunset, it won't work."
Samuel said, "Let's go see the cow," and when they got to the field, he whispered something in the cow's ear.
He said, "Dear cow, when you were with me, we both rested on Sabbath. But I have made a mistake and sold you to someone who does not observe Sabbath. This is your new master and you must do as your new master commands you."
As soon as he finished talking, the cow got up, ready to work! The new owner was amazed and asked, "Why did the cow listen to you?"
Samuel said, "I am a man of G-d, I apologized to this cow for my sins against it. It will now do as you ask. It has forgiven me and is no longer under the weight of my sin."
This story surprised the new owner so much that he decided to learn more about Samuel's faith. He learned so much that he chose to follow the Torah too and he even got a new name, Yochanan ben Torta, which means "Yochanan, son of the Cow."
An excellent example of accepting responsibility for our actions and effecting positive change in the world that sparked good conversations with the kids.