Now it was the custom of Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav to take long walks in the forest alone, as did his great-grandfather, the Baal Shem Tov. One day Rabbi Nachman was walking among the majestic trees, deep in thought, when he heard the trill of a bird in the distance. And that melody was so sweet and resonant that Rabbi Nachman hurried farther into the forest, in the hope that he might catch a glimpse of the bird that had such a beautiful song. He traveled an untold distance, ignoring the way as he went, so great was his curiosity. But although his ears sought out the slightest sound, the forest was strangely silent, and Rabbi Nachman did not hear as much as a rustling leaf, for even the wind seemed to be holding its breath. At last Rabbi Nachman concluded that he had set off in the wrong direction, and in despair he sat down at the base of one of those towering trees, whose upper branches seemed to reach into heaven. Perhaps because he was leaning there, a verse from Proverbs suddenly ...