Along time ago, a young, wealthy girl was getting
ready for bed. She was saying her prayers
when she heard a muffled crying coming through
her window. A little frightened, she went over to
the window and leaned out. Another girl, who
seemed to be about her age and homeless was
standing in the alley by the rich girl’s house. Her
heart went out to the homeless girl, for it
was the dead of winter, and the girl had
no blanket, only old newspapers someone
had thrown out. The rich girl was
suddenly struck with a brilliant idea. She
called to the other girl and said, «You
there, come to my front door, please.»
The homeless girl was so startled she
could only manage to nod.As quick as
her legs could take her, the young girl
ran down the hall to her mothers closet,
and picked out an old quilt and a beat up
pillow. She had to walk slower down to
the front door as to not trip over the quilt
which was hanging down, but she made
it eventually.
Dropping both the articles, she opened
the door. Standing there was the homeless
girl, looking quite scared. The rich
girl smiled warmly and handed both articles
to the other girl. Her smile grew
wider as she watched the true amazement
and happiness alight upon the other girl’s
face. She went to bed incredibly satisfied.
In mid-morning the next day a knock
came to the door. The rich girl flew to the
door hoping that it was the other little girl
there. She opened the large door and
looked outside. It was the other little girl.
Her face looked happy, and she smiled. «I
suppose you want these back.»
The rich little girl opened her mouth
to say that she could keep them when
another idea popped into her head. «No,
I want them back.» The homeless girl’s
face fell. This was obviously not the
answer she had hoped for. She reluctantly
laid down the beat up things, and
turned to leave when the rich girl yelled, «Wait! Stay right there.»
She turned in time to see the rich girl
running up the stairs and down a long
corridor. Deciding whatever the rich little
girl was doing wasn’t worth waiting
for she started to turn
around and walk away. As
her foot hit the first step,
she felt someone tap her
on the shoulder, turning
she saw the rich little girl, thrusting a new blanket
and pillow at her. «Have these» she said quietly.
These were her own personal belonging made of
silk and down feathers. As the two grew older they
didn’t see each other much, but they were never far
from each other’s minds. One day, the Rich girl,
who was now a Rich woman got a telephone call
from someone. A lawyer, saying that she was
requested to see him. When she arrived at the
office, he told her what had happened. Forty years
ago, when she was nine years old, she had helped a
little girl in need. That grew into a middle-class
woman with a husband and two children. She had
recently died and left something for her in her will. «Though,» the lawyer said, «it’s the most peculiar
thing. She left you a pillow and a blanket.»
Meditations:
A Pillow and a Blanket
Victor Perez Centeno, UNCTAD
