What simile does elie wiesel use to describe moishe the beadle?

Elie states that, "Physically, he was as awkward as a clown. His waiflike shyness made people smile. As for me, I liked his wide, dreamy eyes, gaz-ing off into the distance." I think it is ironic that the person villagers regarded as a comic figure, of no consequence, should be the messanger of their fate.