Anecdotes of Father Santan Pinto, SOLT

The Leaf that Came to Lunch

How often this leaf passed by this restaurant. Through the glass the leaf could see many people having dinner. Candles were lit and food was being served. This was the early-bird special. The leaf checked possessions there was a little bag. The change amounted to two dollars and fifty-three cents. The cheapest item on the menu was five dollars and ninety-eight cents for a small roast beef sandwich and a cup of coffee. Nearby was a fountain where the leaf would go and quench its thirst. After a good drink of water the leaf was satisfied and the pangs of hunger ceased.

Through the next few days the winds came and blew the leaf ever closer to the door. Nobody noticed it and the owner watched this leaf slowly approach the entrance of the restaurant.

One day about lunch-time someone gave the leaf a dollar bill. “Wow!” Cried the leaf, “I have the money to eat and I am hungry.” The requirement was shirt and shoes. The leaf was poorly dressed but it had shirt and shoes. Yes they were torn and dirty. But the notice said only shirt and shoes required.

The hostess was trying to politely tell the leaf that it was not welcome in this restaurant. Nonetheless with all the other guests crowding around this young and inexperienced hostess, the leaf was told to sit at one of the tables.

The stewards passed by and gradually some began to notice this leaf. How could this unwanted leaf have guts to come here? Who let this leaf into the restaurant? Someone should at least have pity on this leaf and give it something to eat. The sooner the leaf gets some thing to eat, it would leave the restaurant. Everyone looked at the other. The response was disgust, anger, coldness and indifference.

The owner’s daughter came to the restaurant to dine with her friends. All the stewards were anxious to serve the children. Soon dishes were brought and everyone was being served. The leaf was left alone and nobody even glanced at him. The leaf would hurry to a table when the occupants would leave the restaurant. He managed to gather some bread, a few pieces of lettuce, a slice of tomato and a piece of roast beef. He enjoyed every morsel of the food as he gave thanks to the Lord for providing him his daily bread.

Suddenly a cry rang through the restaurant. There was panic in the air. It came from the table where the children were. A small crowd gathered around a child that was lying on the ground. Nobody knew what to do in this situation. Someone cried out, “Call 911!” A few ran to the telephone. Meanwhile the child kept choking and the other children were crying frantically.

The leaf went up to the crowd. It pushed the on-lookers aside and picked the child. With hands clasping around the back of the child, the lead gave one jerk. The child coughed. The leaf repeated the action and the child vomited a chunk of roast beef she was trying to swallow. She was the owner’s daughter. Soon the paramedics arrived. Seeing the piece of beef the girl swallowed the paramedic said, “Who is the person who helped this child live. If that person hadn’t done what he did, this child would have died.

Everyone looked out to see where the leaf was. But in the midst of all the confusion and noise the leaf has slipped into the darkness. The Spirit of the Lord, the gentle wind that blew it in, now took it to another place to serve.

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