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090 · 4 panels

The Song I Came to Sing

The hand that paused to consider scores chose a song she loved.

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In a small karaoke room, Ara's hand paused over the song-selection remote.
Ara

Which song used to get me a good score?

In a small karaoke room, Ara's hand paused over the song-selection remote.

Jin waited for Ara's choice rather than predicting a high score.
Jin

It's fine if I've never heard it. What would you like to sing?

Jin waited for Ara's choice rather than predicting a high score.

Ara selected a song herself, picked up the microphone and began.
Ara

This one. I love it and wanted to try singing it.

Ara selected a song herself, picked up the microphone and began.

The two friends shared a small smile. She had sung one song she wanted to sing.
Story

Ara sang her chosen song through to the end and lowered the microphone.

The two friends shared a small smile. She had sung one song she wanted to sing.

A thought from the Talmud

The sayings attributed to Hillel at the Temple celebration include an image of feet going toward a beloved place.

The source idea in our own words · Not a direct quotation

Sukkah 53a:3 · Read the source ↗

A lesson for today

Ara was looking for a song that might earn a good karaoke score. When Jin asked what she wanted to sing, she remembered a song she loved. She chose that one herself and sang it through: that is this story's small ending. This is a modern choice to consider what she enjoys, not a demand to sing well or perform for someone else.

A modern interpretation for this story

A question to take with you

What small action could follow from remembering why I came here today?

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About the source and this adaptation

Sukkah 53a:3 preserves sayings attributed to Hillel the Elder at the Temple's water-drawing celebration. The opening first-person statement cannot simply be treated as personal boasting. Rashi reads it as speaking on behalf of the divine presence; the preserved William Davidson English edition adds an explanation about each person's religious obligations. Tosafot discusses a different reading as well as Rashi's, but identifies the later invitation to 'My house' with the divine presence. The passage also describes feet going toward a beloved place, then cites Exodus 20:21 in a religious context of visiting the Temple and God's coming and blessing. The wisdom line paraphrases the beloved-place image; it is not a direct quotation. Considering why one came and choosing a song is a separate modern interpretation. Jin, Ara, the karaoke room, song choice, singing, dialogue and ending are AI-assisted fiction. The Temple, divine presence and blessing are not turned into personal arrogance, guarantees of self-improvement, skill, happiness or success, or obligations to attend gatherings or sing. No actual song or lyrics are used.

Read the source ↗

AI-generated artwork · Creative adaptation

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