The daughter of the Emperor said to R, Joshua: "Your God is a carpenter, as we find it written in your books: 'Who layeth the beams of His chambers in the waters' (Ps. 104.3). I should like Him to build me also a beautiful house, such as beseems an Emperor's daughter."

R. Joshua replied: "Yes, we can easily bring it about."

R. Joshua proceeded to pray very earnestly concerning her request. Suddenly she

became leprous and was given a house in the market place of Rome to dwell therein, for it was the custom in Rome to give the leprous a house in the market place. So the daughter of the Emperor sat at the window of the house and spun flax. She sat at the window in order that the people might see her and pray for her recovery.

One day R. Joshua passed the market place in front of the house as she sat there

spinning the flax. And he said to her: "Has our God built you a pleasure palace?"

And she said to him: "Dear friend, pray to God that He may take away that which He has given me."

But Rabbi Joshua replied: "Our God always gives, but He never takes back."