The Gift

One afternoon, a wealthy man strolled with his spouse on their street, listening to her as intently as he could.

“You do not give me enough for my needs,” she complained vociferously. “I have always expected more from you .”

At that moment, luck turned his way as they passed a homeless woman on the street. Unexpectedly, he quickly pulled his wallet out of his pocket and threw it to the old woman, who was slumping on the curb.

“What are you doing?” screamed his wife. “Are you crazy?”

He turned squarely to his wife and looked at her with a gentle smile. He grasped her hands softly, saying, “You are right. I have never given you enough. In fact, it seems like I will never be able to give you anything ever again.”

“What?” she exclaimed. “What do you mean?”

He kissed her and said, “Once a gift becomes an expectation, it is no longer a gift. And my love, from all our years together , you know I love to give.”