Beggar and the Monk

Spiritual Story by Paulo Coelho

A monk was meditating in the desert when a beggar came up to him and said: "I need to eat". The monk – who was almost reaching the point of perfect harmony with the spiritual world – did not answer. "I need to eat," insisted the beggar. "Go to the town and ask someone else. Can’t you see that you are bothering me? I am trying to communicate with the angels”. "God placed himself lower than men, washed their feet, gave His life, and no-one recognized Him", the beggar replied. "He who says he loves God – who does not see – and forgets his brother - who does – is lying". And the beggar turned into an angel. "What a pity, you almost made it", he remarked before leaving.