A little girl named Agnes had just reached her fifth birthday. Naturally, she was very excited about her party. Her mother had invited their friends to come and celebrate with them. And her father gave her a special present, a new dress.

But the greatest gift little Agnes would receive that day was the valuable lesson she was to learn.

Among the birthday guests was Agnes' godfather. She saw him coming, and ran out to meet him. The good man smiled at his exuberant little goddaughter. When she reached him, he opened his hand to reveal the little surpise had for her. Agnes was overjoyed at the sight. It was a lovely gold coin, of considerable worth.

She eagerly held out her hand, and her godfather gave her the little piece of gold. She stood there for a moment, holding it, and admiring it. How beautiful it was! And it was hers to keep! She hurried back into the house with her new little present. She liked it so much that she had to show it to everyone else.

Soon enough, it was time for the birthday dinner. Once Agnes had eaten as much as she wanted, she got up from her chair and left the table. Her parents were still eating, and scarcely noticed Agnes leave. Fortunately, the child had no plans of mischief. She simply stood at the door of the cottage to amuse herself.

Agnes was still filled with the excitement of the day, and especially of her godfather's present. She had never let it go since the moment he gave it to her. Even now, she had the coin in her little hand, as she stood staring out into the countryside.

Just then, a countrywoman walked by the doorway, carrying a basket filled with fruit. Once Agnes saw her, an eager thought leapt to the front of the little girl's mind. Agnes ran towards the woman, and cried out to her:

"Look here! Look at the beautiful piece of money I have."

Agnes let the woman take the coin into her hand. The woman was impressed when she saw that it was gold. With a friendly air, she said to Agnes:

"Yes, it is indeed very beautiful. But see, here is an apple which is larger and even more beautiful. I will give you this large red apple if you give me your little piece of gold."
The child looked at the apple; it was indeed pretty, very pretty. One look at that apple blew away all the admiration she had for her gold coin. What an opportunity for the child! This large, lovely apple could be hers, and all she needed to give for it was a little trinket! In a moment, Agnes made up her mind. She looked from the apple to the woman, and back again. Then, with great satisfaction, the little girl said:

"Yes, I will give you the money in exchange for the apple."

When the woman received the money, she hurried away at once, and was seen no more.
Agnes didn't notice how quickly the woman left. The little girl simply stood and admired the apple for a few moments. Now, her apple was her most prized possession, just as the coin had been only a few minutes before.

Before long, it occured to Agnes to run and show the apple to her mother. She hurried into the house, smiling broadly, and exclaiming:

"Look, mother! Look at this beautiful apple!"

"Where did you get that apple, my child?"

"Oh, a good woman that was passing by gave it to me for my little gold farthing. Isn't it beautiful?"

When her mother heard this, she became very angry. Agnes' father was also angy, and gave her a severe reprimand. But her godfather said to them:

"Do not get upset with the child for what she has done. She did not know the value of the piece of money. And it was quite natural for her to give it away for that beautiful apple, which she thought was much more valuable.

"There are many people more foolish than she is; but they think themselves very wise. For there are many who sell the endless joys of Heaven for the miserable things of this world. And there are others who, for the pleasure of a moment, lose their souls in eternity. This child has given us a lesson which we should never forget."

Such a lesson is important to remember all throughout our lives. But it has a particular meaning now, in this time of Advent.

Advent is a time of sacrifice: a time of giving up the little things we like - which are here today and gone tomorrow - so that we will earn incredible happiness that will never end.