when the old man told him he was looking for the answer , told him how long he had searched , and told again the stories of his days in the cave , his days of dancing , his days learning the power of medicinal plants , his days in the north , his days in the south , his days among library shelves , the jewish man said he had come to the right place because he knew just the person to satisfy his great need , the person who would give him his answer .