“He will ever give daily bread to those who forget not to entertain strangers,” said their father to the widow, as they took their leave of one who had not refused to receive strangers.

The next morning there was great commotion in the neighborhood; for the widow had been seen to exchange gold for bread at one of the shops; but greater still was their surprise when she told them, as they flocked around her dwelling, that it was given by three strangers who had asked for bread and shelter the night before.

“Three strangers!” exclaimed they all.  “They must be the same that called at our dwellings.  What fools we were that we did not let them in!”

“Nay:  it but shows how dead you were in sympathy for human need,” spoke a voice among them, which, as they turned, they found to be that of the owner of the mansion.

Shame and confusion came over their faces; for he had long been their benefactor, both in words of counsel and deeds of kindness.  Their eyes fell to the ground, as he in gentle tones chided them for their lack of kindness and want of faith in the Father’s love.  “He who giveth not in another’s need shall receive none in his own,” he continued; “and let the lesson taught you by the experience you have just had, and the example of the poor widow, last you through all the years of your life; for she refused not the strangers whom you turned from your doors the shelter which they apparently needed.”

“But they were not cold and hungry,” said one of the group.

“The demand upon your sympathies was just the same; for you knew not to the contrary,” he answered, and they could not but feel the truth of his words.

The lesson was not lost; for in after years they grew less mercenary, more kindly of heart, and never again closed their doors to strangers asking aid.