5 - A Woman and a Beggar

One day, a poor boy who used to sell goods from door to door to pay his school expense, found that he had only one dime left with him. He was very hungry, so he decided to ask for a meal at the next house. However, he knocked the next house door and a lovely young woman opened the door. He got hesitated to see that woman and instead of asking for a meal he asked only for a drink of water. He looked hungry to her, so she brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked - "How much do I owe you for this milk?" "You don't owe me anything." she replied softly. "Mother has taught us never to accept anything for a kindness." He said - "Then I thank you from my heart."

As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man became stronger. He had been ready to give up and quit.

Year's later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was also called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hallway of the hospital to her room. He was dressed in his doctor's gown. As he entered the room, he recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room immediately and determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to the case. After a long struggle the doctors saved her life.

Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and sent the bill to her room. She feared to open the bill, for she was sure that it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she opened it and looked at it. Some note caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read the words: "Paid in full with one glass of milk"