The ass of R. Phinehas ben Yair was stolen by some robbers, who took it and led it into a cavern and kept it there for three days. But the ass would not eat anything, for it knew that they had not tithed the corn.

So the robbers said to one another: "What shall we do with this ass? It will die of hunger, for it refuses to eat. We had better thrust it out into the field. But if we do this, the people will find out where we are and will kill us. If, on the other hand, we keep the carcass in the cavern, it will decompose and make an evil smell in the cavern, which will cause illness."

So they took counsel with one another and decided to let it go free.

As soon as it was set free, the ass ran home quickly to its master, R. Phinehas, and when it came near the gate, the ass started braying aloud, as asses do.

R. Phinehas, hearing the braying of the ass, said: "Open the gate for the poor beast and give it something to eat, for it has not tasted any food for three days."

R. Solomon says, R. Phinehas knew very well that his ass would not eat in any house except his own, and still less would it eat food among robbers.

When they put barley before it, the ass still refused to eat. Then R. Phinehas asked: "Have you tithed it?"

And the people replied: "No."

But as soon as they separated the tithe, the ass ate up all the barley put before it until its appetite was satisfied.