Caring Is Everything

When Victoria, Queen of England, stayed at her summer residence, she enjoyed dressing in simple clothes (so that she would not be recognized) and taking long walks through the woods. On one such occasion, she was caught in a heavy rainstorm. Noticing an old cottage, she ran toward it seeking shelter. In the cottage an old peasant woman lived alone. The queen greeted her and asked if she might borrow an umbrella. She added that she would see that the umbrella was returned as soon as possible. The old woman had no idea that she was in the presence of the queen. Therefore, she answered grudgingly, “Well, I have two umbrellas. One is very good — almost new. I have used it very little. The other is quite old and worn. You may borrow the old one. The new one I will not lend, for who knows whether or not it would be returned to me?” Whereupon, she gave the queen the old torn and…