During the war with Napoleon, there was a famous Austrian general by the name of Count Radetzky. On one occasion, he was stationed for some time in Aussig, a town on the Elbe. While he was there, he had an encounter which made a deep impression on him.

One fine day, General Radetzky was sitting at a table in a lovely garden, with several distinguished officers. They were enjoying a pleasant enough conversation, while their waiter had proudly provided them with a bottle of excellent wine. And as they talked, their waiter diligently stood nearby to attend to any of their needs.

But even the watchful waiter did not notice someone just outside the garden, peering in at the little meeting. The stranger entered the garden and walked straight up to their table.

The officers’ conversation was abruptly interrupted when they noticed they had company. A man in simple clothing, nothing striking about him – except for one thing… it didn’t take long to see that this poor man stood there indeed on two legs, but only one was real – the other was made of wood.

Having gotten their attention, the unfortunate man politely asked the gentlemen for alms. But before the officers could even consider his request, the indignant waiter had already stepped between them and the beggar.

With an abrupt, frustrated wave of his hand, the waiter ordered the beggar to go away.

But Count Radetzky rose from his seat at once. He walked up to the beggar, and looked at him with some curiosity. He kindly asked a few simple questions, and quickly learned more about this man and what had happened to him… indeed, there was much more to this poorly clad invalid than what met the eye.

The beggar had actually been a soldier himself, as these gentleman were; but his career ended the day he lost his leg in battle.

Having learned this, Radetzky immediately made the soldier sit down at the table, and said to the officers:
"This comrade of mine doubtless wielded his sword as bravely as I did myself, and performed his duty as a noble trooper. All he gained for himself was a wooden leg, while a medal of honor fell to my share. It is only fair that we should do something to compensate for this strange twist of fortune."

The general poured a glass of wine for the maimed beggar, and put several coins into his cap. Then he passed it round the table from one officer to the next. More and more coins filled the hat, until it was finally given to the soldier as the alms he had requested.

It was a more generous sum than he had even hoped for. The good man was so delighted that he raised his glass with a loud "Hurrah!" for Radetzky. Having enjoyed the company and the wine of these officers, the maimed soldier departed. He was so touched by their kindness that he left with tears in his eyes.

It is so important not to be confused by the way the world views things. What a great grace was given to the General Radetzky to see that merely because he had earned a medal, it made him in no way a better soldier than this cripple. Is the person who receives awards and fame 'better' or 'greater' than others? Who could say which was the braver man? Only God knows the answer to that question.