The Bread and The Water

Peter was mortified and recalled that this was the same boy to whom he had refused a morsel of bread...

During a great famine, Paul, a poor boy, came down from his mountain-side home to the village and knocked at the doors of the well-to-do people and asked for a morsel of bread.

Peter, the son of a rich farmer, was sitting on the steps of the entrance to his house with a big piece of bread in his hands.

"Give me a morsel of that bread," said Paul, "I am dying of hunger."

But Peter, who hardly glanced at the boy, said harshly: "Be on your way, I have no bread for you."

Almost a year later, Peter went as far as the mountains the search for a lost goat. He was tired after his walking through the unfamiliar ground and the sun was scorching. In vain he sought a spring where he could quench his thirst. At last he saw a boy who was guarding his flock and at his side hung a jar of water. It was Paul; and Peter said to him: "Give me some water to drink. I am dying of thirst." But Paul answered: "Go away; I have nothing to give you!"

Peter was mortified and recalled that this was the same boy to whom he had refused a morsel of bread. He turned to the boy again and with tears in his eyes he asked forgiveness. Paul was kindhearted and gave him the bottle and he watched Peter drink his full. Peter said to him: "May God bless and reward you in this life and in the next."

Love your enemies and do good to them that hate you.