PROFESSOR Konig was a very, liberal man. As long as he had anything himself, no one in want applied to him in vain. On one occasion he had given so much away, that his wife was obliged to complain that there was neither bread nor flour in the house. This was his reply: “The stones will become bread before Professor Konig dies of hunger.” And these words of the faithful man were almost literally fulfilled.
A few hours later an unknown gentleman came to him with a paper, which he wished translated into a foreign language. The professor started at once, and soon had it finished. After some time the stranger returned for the translation. “How much do I owe you?” he asked.
“For such a trifling affair, nothing.” replied the professor. The stranger would not hear of it, but Konig persisted in his refusal to accept payment, so nothing remained for him but to depart with thanks for the professor’s kind act.
On the way home he turned over in his mind how he could reward the professor for his kindness. He had not gone far when he saw a miller who was well known to him. An idea struck him that he at once put into force. He called the miller over to him and commissioned him to send a sack of flour to the professor. The miller executed the order, and took the sack of flour the same day to the highly astonished professor.
A few days later, the stranger called again, and enquired if the flour had arrived.
“Yes, indeed,” answered the professor, “but you make me ashamed by such a rich reward for such a trifling service.”
Hereupon he asked the stranger his name.
“My name is Stone,” was the reply.
“Wife, come here quickly!” the professor now cried. “Just think, this gentleman’s name is Stone! Did I not tell you—the stones will become bread before Professor Konig dies of hunger.”
“He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”
ML 06/16/1912