A
young man, a student in one of our universities, was one day taking a
walk with a professor, who was commonly called the students' friend,
from his kindness to those who waited on his instructions. As they went
along, they saw lying in the path a pair of old shoes, which they
supposed to belong to a poor man who was employed in a field close by,
and who had nearly finished his day's work.
The student turned
to the professor, saying: "Let us play the man a trick: we will hide
his shoes, and conceal ourselves behind those bushes, and wait to see
his perplexity when he cannot find them."
"My young friend,"
answered the professor, "we should never amuse ourselves at the expense
of the poor. But you are rich, and may give yourself a much greater
pleasure by means of the poor man. Put a coin into each shoe, and then
we will hide ourselves and watch how the discovery affects him."
The
student did so, and they both placed themselves behind the bushes close
by. The poor man soon finished his work, and came across the field to
the path where he had left his coat and shoes. While putting on his
coat he slipped his foot into one of his shoes; but feeling something
hard, he stooped down to feel what it was, and found the coin.
Astonishment and wonder were seen upon his countenance. He gazed upon
the coin, turned it round, and looked at it again and again. He then
looked around him on all sides, but no person was to be seen. He now
put the money into his pocket, and proceeded to put on the other shoe;
but his surprise was doubled on finding the other coin. His feelings
overcame him; he fell upon his knees, looked up to heaven and uttered
aloud a fervent thanksgiving, in which he spoke of his wife, sick and
helpless, and his children without bread, whom the timely bounty, from
some unknown hand, would save from perishing.
The student
stood there deeply affected, and his eyes filled with tears. "Now,"
said the professor, "are you not much better pleased than if you had
played your intended trick?"
The youth replied, "You have
taught me a lesson which I will never forget. I feel now the truth of
those words, which I never understood before: 'It is more blessed to
give than to receive.'"
Author unknown, retold by Artin Tellalian
thanks!
a very nice and touching inspirating article
i think hor those ppl if upset can come here n take a look at those articles though, will somehow cheer them up though
Originally posted by rlsh07:i think hor those ppl if upset can come here n take a look at those articles though, will somehow cheer them up though
yeah i strongly agree