"Why is it," said the rich man to his minister, "that people call me stingy when everyone
knows that when I die I'm leaving everything to the church?"
"Let me tell you a fable about the pig and the cow," said the minister. "The pig was
unpopular while the cow was beloved. This puzzled the pig. 'People speak warmly of your
gentle nature and your sorrowful eyes,' the pig said to the cow. 'They think you're generous
because each day you give them milk and cream. But what about me? I give them everything I
have. I give bacon and ham. I provide bristles for brushes. They even pickle my feet! Yet not
one likes me. Why is that?'"
"Do you know what the cow answered?" said the minister. "The cow said, 'Perhaps it is because
I give while I'm still living.'"
