I was recently introduced to this children’s book, The Lonely Ayil, which is about a ram (Ayil means ram in Hebrew) that wishes to do something important in his life. How many of us can relate to that longing to make a difference in other people’s lives.

I think of children who are shown this book by a mom or grandmother or even teacher who reads it to them. The book is meant for a preschool age child, and so I read it to my 4-year old grandson who smiled at the colorful pictures and answered my prompts as I read the book.

The “ayil” or ram doesn’t think he will ever get a chance to make a difference, since he’s stuck in a yard of a farmer, with the ability to simply run around. Again, we sometimes feel as if we are useless and have nowhere to go to explore.

One day, the farmer forgets to close the gate, and the ram grabs the opportunity, runs out and does a good deed, which ends of benefiting children on the other side of the mountain.

Incidentally, the expression “other side of the mountain” was reminiscent of the famous book “The Little Engine that Could,” and so sparked feelings of nostalgia by association with that book of an engine that longs to make a difference, to do, to accomplish and has the confidence to do so.

Anyway, back to the ram, who does a good deed – a Mitzvah – for the Jewish community, by donating his horns for the shofar – (ram’s horn used on Rosh Hashana) and the community is thrilled with the assistance provided by the ram.

Author, Rochell Weisfogel, of Columbus, Ohio, taught children for many years in the day schools of Columbus and presented this story of hers via the blackboard. Drawings, stories and many years of teaching the children evolved into the actual publication of the story as a book.

Congratulations to Rochell for her charming book, and may we all have a Happy New Year, filled with more good deeds to come.

The book can be purchased on Amazon. Happy reading to all our children.