A Queen of Portugal, named Isabel, has been known for her goodness and unselfish practice of charity.

It happened that her husband, King D. Diniz, didn't use to like the Queen's tours close to the misery present on the streets.

Even less he used to like her donations around the poor. He could not admit a noble woman to leave the throne of the human honors to be involved with a crowd of sick, hungry and ragged people.

The kind Queen, however, could get past the soldiers and chaperone to search for the pain in the dirty hovels, taking herself and everything else she could carry from the palace.

She did not take servants with her, because that would be the same as to ask them to disobey real orders.

It was humiliating, according to her husband, was she used to do. Why would a Queen, born to be served, do the servants´ job, carrying bags with food, clothes and medicines around?

One day, he wanted to spy the Queen. He decided to surprise her being disobedient. He saw when she entered the pantry and filled her apron with food.

When she was going through the palace gardens, in order to reach the dusty road, on the heels of hunger, he hurried out of his hiding place and asked:

Where are you going, lady?

He stopped, scared at first. And, as she was taking long to answer, he altered his voice and with an accusing tone, asked:

What are you taking in your apron?

Slightly flushed, but with a firmly voice, she finally answered:

These are flowers, my Lord!

I want to see them! Said the King, angry, feeling that she was lying to him.

She dropped the apron she was holding in her hands and left its content out to the ground, in a slow and delicate gesture.

A wonderful phenomenon happened, roses in different tons and intensely scented dropped out and colored the ground.

It is said that the King has never again tried to stop the Queen to practice charity.

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For those who suffer the hardships of hunger, feeling the stomach complain about the emptiness that consumes it; for those who hear, suffered, the inquiries of their sons asking for a piece of bread, some spoons of rice, the minimum of food that can calm their necessities down, is similar to a powerful medication bottle.

For those who are passing through the night, distressed, at the bedside of a child, delirious with a fever, the drops of a medicine are the condensation of hope of returning to good health.

For those who feel the claws of winter cutting their flesh, receiving a blanket that protects them from the chilly wind is a blessing.

That is why, whoever takes breads, clothes and comfort is the carrier of fragrant flowers of various hues.

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There are many who say that giving is to feed the laziness and encourage accommodation.

However, hungry mouths and sick bodies cannot waive the right food and the right medication.

If we wish the beings to be active, involved with the work, it is necessary to give them the minimum conditions for that. You cannot teach someone how to fish if this one has no strength to even hold the fishing rod.

Spiritist Moment Team.
February 28.2011.