A Christmas Tale

A tired old man walked down a snow covered street His clothes were in tatters He had rags on his feet......... It was Chritmas time in the big city. All the stores were brightly lit. There were Santas on every corner ringing their bell, hoping the busy holiday shoppers would drop a coin or maybe a few dollars into their pot. The old man was cold. He hadn't eaten in days. There was a crowd of people waiting at the bus stop at the corner. The old man approached one of the men standing there. "Please kind sir, could you please spare a few coins for a cup of coffee? It is very cold and I am very thirsty." The man looked at the poor beggar with disdain. "Get away from me you old bum" he said giving the old man a shove. The old man lay on the ground for several minutes, listening to the laughter of the people standing there. He finally pulled himself off the cold, snow covered ground and started walking down the street. He passed many people running in and out of the shops. He asked several more people for help, but he was either ignored or like the first man, they were very abusive. The old man was so tired and cold and hungry. He sat down on a crate in a dark alley. Suddenly, a bright light appeared. The old man disappeared and standing there, robed all in white, was Jesus. "Every year I come down here to see how things are going, and every year, all I find is hatred and greed. "Don't my children know that what ever they do to each other, I will do to them?' Jesus just stood there slowly shaking his head, and disappeared. The next time a stranger asks you for help, I hope you remember this little tale. You never know WHO you could be turning down. MERRY CHRISTMAS jojo7 2006