The Coin in the Shoes
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 due to his kindness to those who sought his guidance.
As they walked, they came across a pair of old shoes lying in the path, which they assumed belonged to a poor man working in a nearby field, nearing the end of his day's labor.
Turning to the professor, the student proposed a trick: they would hide the shoes and watch the man's confusion when he couldn't find them.
The professor responded, "My young friend, we should never amuse ourselves at someone else's expense. However, as you are wealthy, you can derive greater joy by helping the poor man. Place a coin into each shoe, and then we can observe his reaction when he discovers them."
Following the professor's advice, the student placed coins in the shoes, and they both concealed themselves behind the bushes nearby.
After completing his work, the poor man returned to the path to retrieve his coat and shoes. Upon putting on his coat and slipping his foot into the shoe with the coin, he felt the unexpected object.
Surprised, he examined the coin with wonder, looking around for the benefactor. Finding another coin in the other shoe, his astonishment grew. Overwhelmed with gratitude, he knelt down, offering a heartfelt thanksgiving for the timely assistance that would aid his sick wife and hungry children.
Witnessing this scene, the student was deeply moved, tears welling in his eyes.
The professor then remarked, "Do you not find more satisfaction in this act of kindness than in your initial prank?"
To which the student replied, "You have imparted a lesson that will stay with me forever. I now understand the true meaning of the words: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
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 due to his kindness to those who sought his guidance.
As they walked, they came across a pair of old shoes lying in the path, which they assumed belonged to a poor man working in a nearby field, nearing the end of his day's labor.
Turning to the professor, the student proposed a trick: they would hide the shoes and watch the man's confusion when he couldn't find them.
The professor responded, "My young friend, we should never amuse ourselves at someone else's expense. However, as you are wealthy, you can derive greater joy by helping the poor man. Place a coin into each shoe, and then we can observe his reaction when he discovers them."
Following the professor's advice, the student placed coins in the shoes, and they both concealed themselves behind the bushes nearby.
After completing his work, the poor man returned to the path to retrieve his coat and shoes. Upon putting on his coat and slipping his foot into the shoe with the coin, he felt the unexpected object.
Surprised, he examined the coin with wonder, looking around for the benefactor. Finding another coin in the other shoe, his astonishment grew. Overwhelmed with gratitude, he knelt down, offering a heartfelt thanksgiving for the timely assistance that would aid his sick wife and hungry children.
Witnessing this scene, the student was deeply moved, tears welling in his eyes.
The professor then remarked, "Do you not find more satisfaction in this act of kindness than in your initial prank?"
To which the student replied, "You have imparted a lesson that will stay with me forever. I now understand the true meaning of the words: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"