The Story of a Lawyer

The Salvation Army realised that it had never received a donation from
the city's most successful lawyer.  So a Salvation Army volunteer made
an appointment to see the lawyer in his lavish office.

The volunteer opened the meeting by saying, "Our research shows that
even though your annual income is over two million dollars, you don't
give a cent to charity.  Wouldn't you like to give something back to
your community through the Salvation Army?"

The lawyer thought for a moment and said, "First, did your research
also show you that my mother is dying after a long, painful illness
and has huge medical bills that are far beyond her ability to pay?"

Embarrassed, the Salvation Army volunteer mumbled, "Uh... no, I didn't
know that."

"Secondly," says the lawyer, "did it show that my brother, a disabled
Veteran, is blind, confined to a wheelchair and is unable to support
his wife and six children?"

The stricken volunteer began to stammer an apology, but was cut off again.

"Thirdly," the lawyer said, "did your research also show you that my
sister's husband died in a dreadful car accident, leaving her
penniless with a mortgage and the burden of supporting three children,
one of whom is disabled and another who has learning disabilities
requiring an array of private tutors?"

Completely beaten, the humiliated Salvation Army volunteer said, "'I'm
so sorry.  I had no idea.'"

And then the lawyer said, "So, if I don't give any money to them, what
makes you think I'd give any to you?"