Sharing An Onion

So many times we go about our day with the attitude that all that I have is mine and should not be shared. Is there room in our hearts to share something with others? Maybe use our abilities to help others or give them a helping hand instead of pushing them away.

There is an old story of an old woman and an onion. This woman died and could not go to Heaven because she had been mean and cruel to everyone all her life. She went to Hell, and from there she prayed for mercy. Was there no way she could be admitted to Heaven?

An angel who guards the gates looked around and asked all of the souls in Heaven, "Is there anyone here who has ever had a kind word or an act of generosity from this woman?" Only one stepped forth. He said that in life he had been a starving beggar, and one time this woman had given him an onion.

The angel told him, “Bring me the onion.” It wasn’t much of an onion. It was small and shriveled, a pretty poor meal even for a beggar. Would it be enough of an act of kindness to raise the old woman out of Hell?

The angel took the onion and reached down with it into Hell. The old woman grasped it and the angel began to pull her up. The thin dry stalk seemed like it might snap at any minute, but as she held onto it, her feet were lifted from the ground.

The other damned souls around her saw her beginning to rise Heavenward and they grabbed at her skirts and her feet, hoping to be pulled up with her. The onion stalk was so spindly. Would it hold?

The old woman looked down at the other damned souls clinging to her and yelled, “Let go! It’s my onion!” And with that, the onion broke.

Living life is hard enough but to be a decent person and have the attitude of giving will be a huge testament to your life. Small or large, each act of generosity or kindness will eventually find its way back to you. Have kindness and a spirit of generosity not only during this holiday season, but throughout the year.