The holidays were close at hand and a certain fellow responded to a knock at his door. The day was cold and the visitor was clearly distressed in his threadbare coat. Recognizing the man, he was invited in and positioned before the stove to warm himself.
"Tell me," the man asked his visitor at length, "Why do you look so depressed?"
"I'm desperate," the visitor complained bitterly. "In just a few days the holidays will be here and I have no money for anything, not even the barest necessities. My wife, my children, and I are even to ashamed to attend services, because we are in rags."
The man nodded sagely, and then replied. "Believe me, friend, there is always a way. The Lord never deserts his children.
The visitor was unconvinced and the host, himself a poor man, undertook to comfort him.
"Let's figure your needs," said he. "How much do you need for holiday meals?"
"Fifteen rubles."
"And how much for cloths for your wife and children?"
"Twenty-five rubles."
"And a new suit for yourself?"
"That should cost about twelve rubles."
"Let's see," the host said as he added the figures. "You need a total of fifty-two rubles. I believe we've solved your problem."
"How can that be?" asked the impoverished stranger.
"It's perfectly clear," replied his host confidently. "Now you need not worry about holiday meals, clothing for your family and yourself, no, or even attending the holiday services. You now have but one worry ... where to find fifty-two rubles ..."