“Kindness and Compassion”
On a cold evening in Virginia in the 18th century, an old man trudged toward his distant home. As he stopped to rest, he spotted several men on horseback headed down the road in his direction. He watched as the first went by, and then the next, and then a third.
Finally, as the last approached, the old man lifted a hand. “Sir,” he called out, “could you give an old man a ride home?”
The horseman stopped and instantly replied, “Certainly.” He helped the old man up onto his horse, then mounted himself and rode off.
They soon reached the old man’s cottage, where he thanked the horseman for his assistance.
“You’re most welcome,” said the rider, “but I am curious. I saw three people ride ahead of me, and yet you didn’t lift your hand to ask them for help. What made you so certain that I would help you?”
“I’ve been around for a long time,” said the man, “and reckon I know people pretty well. When I looked into the eyes of those other riders I could see they wouldn’t care about my situation. But when I saw your eyes, I saw kindness and compassion there. I knew that you would welcome the opportunity to give me assistance in my time of need.”
“Thank you for your kind words,” the horseman replied. “I hope I am never so busy with my own affairs that I fail to respond to the needs of others with kindness and compassion.”
Legend has it that the horseman was Thomas Jefferson.
In these Crazy Times, this is Something All of Us Should Remember this Wonderful Story!
Comments(5)