Featured Story

week of November 30, 2019

In Confidence

by William R. White

The Teacher and one of his companions made a house call on a rich man. They were seeking funds for a man who had suffered a heart attack.

The host greeted the Teacher and his friend warmly and listened intently as the Teacher briefly described the desperate plight of the one who had suffered the ailment. “We are asking for a generous gift,” the Teacher concluded.

“Who is the sick man?” the host asked.

The Teacher shook his head. “Rarely do we reveal the name of people in need. In this case it is most difficult for the man to admit that he needs charity.”

“If I am to help, I insist on knowing the identity of the man in need. I will keep it in strictest confidence. I was going to give you $5,000, but if you tell me the man’s name, I will increase the gift to $10,000.

“We will not reveal the man’s name,” the Teacher said, shaking his head.

“Twenty thousand dollars. Surely you will not refuse such an amount.”

“I will not break confidence,” the Teacher insisted. His friend looked at his mentor in disbelief.

Taking a deep breath, the host said, “Thirty thousand dollars.”

Before the Teacher could reply, his companion pleaded with him. “Teacher, $30,000 will pay for all the hospital and living expenses. He is an honorable man; he can keep the secret with us.”

The Teacher walked toward the door. “I should have left long ago. The honor of a man is not open to barter or negotiation, regardless of what the sum of money might be. I have other visits to make.”

Before the Teacher could leave the house, the rich man begged him to meet together privately in the next room. The moment they were alone he broke into tears. “Teacher, I recently lost every penny I had saved. I am not able to make even a token payment on the mortgage. I have wanted to go to someone for help, but I couldn’t stand the idea of everyone in the city knowing that I am a failure.”

“Now I understand,” the Teacher said tenderly. “You were testing me to see if I could be trusted with your secret. I will seek funds for you as well as the man who is sick. What you have told me will be kept in confidence.”

Afterward the two men bid their host farewell and walked toward the place of their next visit. “Well, Teacher,” his friend said, “how much did he give you?”

The Teacher smiled and then playfully shook a finger at his friend. “Shame on you. You know such things are a secret.”

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