The Nun

In a small convent in upstate New Hampshire, the nuns were happy to learn that a church regular had left a small estate to them. Each nun had been left $100 to do as she pleased.

Each nun announced how she would spend her bequest. Sister Marie Florence decided to give her share to the first poor person she encountered.

As she said this, she looked out the window and saw a man leaning against a bench across the street, and he indeed seemed in need.

She immediately left the convent and walked toward the man. He was obviously poor. The good nun felt he had been sent by Heaven to receive her munificence.

She put the $100 into the man's hands and said, "Godspeed, poor fellow."

As she left, the man called out to her, "What is your name?"

Shyly, she replied, "Sister Marie-Florence."

The next night, the man returned to the convent and rang the bell. "I'd like to see Sister Marie-Florence ," he said.

The nun at the door answered, "I'm sorry, but I cannot get her right now. She's in the chapel. May I give her a message?"

"Yes," said the man triumphantly. "Give her this $200 and tell her Godspeed came in first at the horse track."