The Donation

The staff at a local United Way office realized it had never received a donation from the community's most successful psychiatrist.

The person in charge of contributions called him to try and persuade him to contribute and said, "Our research shows that out of a yearly income of at least $500,000+, you give not a penny to charity. Wouldn't you like to give back to the community in some way?"

The psychiatrist mulled this over for a moment and replied, "First, did your research also show that my mother is dying after a long illness, and has medical bills that are several times her annual income?"

Embarrassed, the United Way representative mumbled, "Um... No."

"Or," the psychiatrist continued, "that my brother, a disabled veteran, is blind and confined to a wheelchair?"

The stricken United Way representative began to stammer out an apology but was interrupted when the psychiatrist added, "Or that my sister's husband died in a traffic accident?" the psychiatrist's voice rising in indignation, "Leaving her penniless with three children?"

The humiliated United Way representative, completely beaten, said simply, "I had no idea..........please forgive me......."

On a roll, the psychiatrist cut him off once again, "So if I don't give any money to them, why should I give any to you?"

Today's Reflection:

I think my dog must have a particularly cold nose. Whenever he walks in a room, all the other dogs sit down.

Live Long and Prosper...