A Greater Gift

Tolstoy, the great Russian writer, was passing along a street one day when a beggar stopped him, pleading for alms. The great Russian searched through his pockets for a coin, but finding none, he regretfully said, "Please don't be angry with me, my brother. I have nothing with me. If I did I would gladly give it to you." The beggar's face lit up, and he said, "You have given me more than I asked for. You have called me brother."