A Legend About the Spirit of Giving

A wanderer in the desert happens upon a spring of clear water. He fills a jug with the water and hurries off to give this precious gift to the king. But the king is far away, and it takes the wanderer many days to reach him. When the wanderer arrives, the king tastes the water, smiles, and gives him many thanks. The others in the court rush up, wanting to take their taste of the cool, clean water. But when they do, they find it is hot and stale, and spit it out. One of them asks the king, "How could you smile and give thanks, when this water is spoiled?"

"Ah," said the king, "it was not the water I tasted but the spirit in which it was given."

No person was ever honored for what he received; honor has been the reward for what he gave.

—Calvin Coolidge,
U.S. president