Zalman bought his son Chaim a new pair of boots. Chaim went off proudly to Cheder with his new boots. But when he came home Zalman noticed that Chaim was wearing his old shoes.
"What happened to your boots Chaim," asked Zalman?
"Shmuli has no father and his shoes had holes in them. I gave them to Shmuli. My shoes don't have holes in them."
Zalman wasn't over impressed but decided to hide his feelings.
"Wow that is really special," replied Zalman.
A few weeks later Zalman bought Chaim a new coat. Chaim went off happily to Cheder with his new coat. But that evening he arrived home without it.
"Chaim, where is your coat," asked Zalman?
"I gave it to Shmuli, he was shivering from the cold. At least I have a warm sweater."
Zalman was rather bothered but smiled to Chaim for his Chessed.
A few days later Chaim came home from Cheder.
"Tatty (Abba), you know that Shmuli doesn't have a father. Now his mother is sick and gone to hospital. Can Shmuli stay with us?"
"Chaim, I understand you are very concerned for Shmuli but we don't have room."
The next day Chaim never arrived home. Zalman started looking for him and asked his neighbors to help. A few hours later Chaim was found in Shul with Shmuli.
"What happened Chaim," asked Zalman?
"Shmuli has nowhere to sleep so he's sleeping in Shul and if he's sleeping here, so am I. I can't leave Shmuli on his own."
Zalman knew what he had to do.
"Tell Shmuli he can stay with us."
A few weeks later Shmuli went back home to his mother.
Not long after Second World War broke out. Chaim and Shmuli both survived but lost contact.
Chaim arrived in Eretz Yisrael and became a Rebbi. Shmuli arrived in America and became a successful businessman.
One day Chaim received a knock on his door. He didn't recognize his guest.
"Don't you remember me? I am Shmuli. I haven't ever forgotten your kindness when I was a kid. I have kept track of you and I know you are struggling financially. I have set aside money for you to marry off all your children."
