Jacob and the Stranger Author:Sally Derby "An intriguing, beautifully honed allegory concerning Jacob, known by his actions as kind, honest, even smart -- yet lazy . . . . An elegant piece of bookmaking; an enchanting, simple-seeming tale." --Kirkus Reviews, pointer — Jacob is a happy-go-lucky young man, kind & honest, but lazy. He works just enough to have money in h... more »is pocket, & all he lacks is someone to share his freedom with. One day a mysterious stranger offers him an ideal job: In exchange for generous pay, all Jacob has to do is care for the stranger's plant while he is away. The stranger makes one more, very cryptic demand: "You must return to me all that is mine. If you don't, you will rue the day you were born." Jacob is delighted with the bargain, espeically when the plant's buds open to reveal hundreds of magical, miniature cats--lions, tigers, jaguars, cougars, & one perfect black panther that becomes Jacob's special pet, the companion he has longed for. Soon he is spending all his time caring for the tiny creatures, but despite the extra work, Jacob dreads the stranger's return for he cannot bear to part with the panther. All too soon the day of reckoning comes & Jacob must confront the stranger's powerful magic--and the strength of his own values-to win a surprising reward.« less