Tight Fisted Folks

The story is told of a circus athlete who earned his living by displaying astonishing feats of physical strength. His “show” would normally conclude with a simple, but impressive, demonstration of his ability to squeeze an orange dry! After completing his act, he would then challenge his audience to produce anyone who could extract even one drop of juice from the crushed fruit.

On one of these occasions, a little man volunteered. He was so diminutive that his very appearance raised a laugh from the spectators. Undaunted, however, the man stepped onto the stage and took from the athlete what appeared to be nothing more than a shriveled up piece of rind. Then, bracing himself, he slowly and firmly compressed his right hand. Every eye was on him, and the atmosphere was electric! A moment or two elapsed, and then, to everyone’s amazement — and not least the athlete — a drop of orange juice formed and dripped to the floor. As the cheers subsided, the athlete beckoned the man forward, asked his name, and then invited him to tell the crowd how he had managed to develop such fistic powers. “Nothing to it,” replied the man; and then, with a grin, he added: “I happen to be the treasurer of the local Baptist Church!”

The Grace of Giving, STEPHEN F. OLFORD