The young curate lived alone...
Illustration
The young curate lived alone in an apartment. In the same building and living near him was an old couple. Because of their infirmities and the limitations of old age they struggled with everything they had to do. But nothing stopped them. They enjoyed life to the fullest even if their frailties put a bit of a damper upon it all. The curate could remember the first time he helped them with their groceries. The stairs were very difficult for them to climb, but for him it was something that was done lickety-split. But Bernice had difficulty accepting favors, and she was not able to say "thank you" with enough enthusiasm, even though she felt it in her heart. But she found a way to express her gratitude by a kind deed. She watched out of her window and waited for an occasion. One evening the young curate returned home late in the evening after a busy day in the parish. Soon after he had let himself in, there was a knock at the door and Bernice was standing there wearing a warm, motherly smile and holding a luscious piece of freshly baked pie. She said something like, "Just thought that you needed something, dear, before you retire for the night." The young curate never took their gratitude for granted. As he tasted the sweet pie crust and the delicious filling he could hear "thank you" over and over again -- a visible and tasteful reminder that what he had done for them was so very gratefully accepted. -- Fairlie
