The benevolent wealthy man wanted...
Illustration
The benevolent wealthy man wanted to share all that he had with the less fortunate. One morning he stood on a busy street corner and gave out five dollars to every passerby, no questions asked, no strings attached. He found great joy in seeing the surprised delight of his many recipients. "Have a real coffee break today -- on me," he would say to each of them as they took his money. The next morning he did the same thing and every morning for one week. The next week he stood at the same corner and offered a warm smile and a handshake, but no money. The courtesy was seldom returned. In fact, when many saw that he was not about to give them any money they became quite abusive. The police had to intervene to rescue the puzzled man from the angry mob. The only ones who greeted him this week with reciprocal warmth were those who themselves had shared what he had given them with others. They knew that giving was a demonstration of love and that it was more blessed to give than to receive. As for the others, when the police asked what the man had done to deserve their wrath, some said that he was the scoundrel who last week had given them 25 dollars!
-- Fairlie
-- Fairlie
