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Posted by Julia
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**A young
man, a student in one of the universities, was one day taking a walk
with a professor, who was commonly called the students' friend for 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 were supposed to belong to a poor man who was working in a field
close by, and who had nearly finished his day's work . . .
Student turned to the professor, saying: "Let us play the man a trick:
we will hide his shoes, and hide 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 this poor man.
Put a coin in each shoe, and then we will hide ourselves and watch how
this 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 around 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 this 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 these words, which I never
understood before: "It's more blessed to give than to receive."
If you want happiness... .
For a lifetime - help someone . . .**
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