Once during a famine, a rich man allowed the children from some of the poorest families to come to his house where they would receive some bread.

A large basket filled with loaves was placed before them, and every child was allowed to take one. The very first time this was done the children quarreled amongst themselves; every one wanted the largest loaf.

One little girl alone was observed to stand apart from the rest, quietly waiting her turn. When this finally came, all that was left for her in the basket was the last - and smallest - loaf. The wealthy man watched the grateful girl take the bread without the least complaint.

The next day, the same thing happened. The children bickered and fought for the biggest and best of the loaves. Again, the well-behaved, peaceable little girl was left only with the smallest bit of bread, which she took back to her poor family.

But upon cutting the bread, her parents froze in astonishment. Inside the little loaf were several silver coins! What a dreadful mistake! The good people told their daughter to take the money back to their rich benefactor. This the little girl promptly did.

As she held out the coins to him, the man, however, refused them with a smile. While this honest act displayed once again the little girl’s virtues, and increased the rich man’s esteem for her, he would not take the money back.

In answer to her puzzled face, the man revealed his secret.

“I had the money put into the loaf expressly to reward you for your patient and virtuous conduct.”