The man behind the counter looked distractedly at the street. A little girl got next to the shop and put her nose against the display window.

        Her blue eyes shone when she saw a determined object.

        She got into the shop and asked for the turquoise necklace. “It is for my sister. Could you wrap it up for me, please?”

        The shop owner looked at the little girl distrustfully and asked: “How much money have you got?”

        With no hesitation, she took a handkerchief all tied together out of her pocket and started undoing the knots. She happily put it on the counter and asked: “This is enough, isn’t it?”

        She proudly showed just a few coins.

        “You know, I want to give this blue necklace to my older sister. Since my mum died, she has been looking after us and doesn’t have time for herself. It is her birthday today and I am sure she will be happy to get this necklace that is as blue as her eyes.”

        The man went inside the shop, put the necklace in a beautiful box, wrapped it up with a nice red paper and tied it up with a beautiful green ribbon.

        “Here you are, take it with care.”

        She left the shop happily, hoping down the road.

        Later that day, a gorgeous young lady with long blond hair and beautiful blue eyes got inside the shop.

        She put the unwrapped red package on the counter and asked:

        “Was this necklace bought in this shop?”

        “Yes, it was,” answered the man.

        “And how much was it?”

        “Ah,” said the shop owner, “the prices of the products in my shop are always a confidential matter between me and the costumer.”

        “But my sister had only a few coins. These are real stones, aren’t they? She wouldn’t have the money to pay for it!”

        The man got the package, gently wrapped it up again and gave it back to the young lady.

        “She paid the highest price one can pay” he said. “She gave everything she had.”

        Silence took over the shop, two tears rolled down the young lady’s face, while she got the package back. Her hands held it carefully all the way back home.

        The real donation is when you give yourself away totally, without restrictions. The gratitude of the one that loves does not have limits to tender gestures.

        Gratitude is always a gesture from Spirits who are rich in emotions and altruism.

* * *

        Always be grateful, but do not expect recognition from others.

        Gratitude, like love, not only fulfils the one that receives it, but also comforts the one that offers it.

Spiritist Moment Team, based on the book “Remotos Cânticos de Belém”, Chapter “Relógio marcando nove horas”, by  Wallace Leal V. Rodrigues. Publishing house: O Clarim.