And it came to pass.

Early in the morning toward the last day of the semester,

There arose a great multitude smiting the books and wailing.

And there was much weeping and

Gnashing of teeth,

For the day of judgment was at hand

And they were sore afraid, for they had left undone

Those things which they ought to have done,

And they had done

Those things which they ought not to have done

And there was no help for it.

And there were many abiding in the dorms

Who had kept watch over their books by night,

But it availed them naught.

But some there were who rose peacefully,

For they had prepared themselves the way

And made straight paths of knowledge.

And these were known

As wise burners of the midnight oil.

And to others they were known as “curve raisers.”

And the multitude arose

And ate a hearty breakfast.

And they came unto the appointed place

And their hearts were heavy

And they had come to pass,

But some of them

Repented of their riotous living and bemoaned their fate,

But they had not a prayer.

And at the last hour there came among them

One known as the instructor; and they feared exceedingly.

He was of diabolical smile,

And he passed papers among them and went his way.

And many and varied

Were the answers given,

For some of his teachings had fallen among fertile minds.

Others had fallen along the fallows,

While others had fallen flat.

And some there were who wrote for one hour,

Others for two,

But some turned away sorrowful, and many of these

Offered a little bull

In hopes of pacifying the instructor

And these were the ones who had not a prayer.

And when they had finished,

They gathered up their belongings

And went their way quietly, each in his own direction,

And each vowing unto himself in this manner:

“I shall not pass this way again.”