Once when there was a famine, a kind, rich baker sent for twenty of the poorest
children in the town and said to them, "In this basket there is a loaf for each
of you. Take it and come back to me everyday at this hour till God sends us
better times."
The hungry children gathered eagerly about the basket and most quarrelled over
the bread, because each wished to have the largest loaf. At last they went away
without even thanking the Good Samaritan. But Gretchen, a poorly dressed little
girl, did not quarrel or struggle with the rest, but remained standing quietly
to the side. When the ill-behaved children had left, she took the smallest loaf,
which alone was left in the basket, kissed the gentleman's hand and went home.
The next day the children were as ill-behaved as before and poor, timid Gretchen
received a loaf scarcely half the size of the one she got the first day. When
she went home and her mother cut the loaf open, many new shining pieces of
silver fell out of it. Her mother was very much alarmed and said, "Take the
money back to the good gentleman at once, for it must have gotten into the dough
by accident. Be quick, Gretchen, be quick." But when the little girl gave the
rich man her mother's message he said, "No, no, my child, it was no mistake, I
had the silver pieces put into the smallest loaf to reward you. Always be as
contented, kind and thankful as you are now. Go home now, and tell your mother
that the money is your own."
If we give to others, yield to them to make them happy, or put their wishes
above our own, we can sometimes feel like we're losing out. But we're not
really, God sees such unselfishness, and He will reward it.
You never lose by giving.
Author unknown. If anyone has a proprietary interest in this story please
authenticate and I will be happy to credit, or remove, as the circumstances
dictate.
Thanks to Sherry's Inspirational list
INSPIRATIONAL@ChristianEMailService.com
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