He prayed to Christ; br he prayed to Krishna; br he even wished upon a star. br br He said a novena; br he chanted esoteric mantras; br he bought a rabbit’s foot. br br He journeyed to Mecca; br he knelt at the Wailing Wall; br he crossed his fingers and hoped to die. br br He studied Kabbala; br he pored over astrological tables; br he paid the palm reader generously. br br After years of supplications; br litanies, liturgies, and libations; br after sacrifices and renunciation br br of his sins and shortcomings, br he at last became a wealthy man br at 98 years old and died br with his fingers still crossed.