The ordinary man

In the mornng an ordinary man picked up his basket and left his home and family to go to the market in the nearby town. He always knew it was always a long day's walk to town and back each week but it was what he did for his family. And he always knew his basket was always heavy on the walk home.

But it never detered from the walk for as much as he loved his family, home and farm, he loved the walk on the road, he loved the time in town, and he loved the walk home to see his family. When he was done this week and his basket full of food and goods he started the walk home. Just outside of town he met a priest walking the road to the next town.

The priest had finished his work in town and was on his way to the next town, a long day's walk for him. He cherished the walk as he cherished the work in town, always people to meet and travel with, if only part of the way on his or their journey. So he asked the ordinary man if he could walk with him and share the time and a conversation.

The ordinary man agreed and the two walked the road over the miles. At one point the priest noticed the basket and asked the man if he could carry some of the goods in the basket to lighten his load. The man replied that he was fine as the words from the priest strengthened his heart and lightened his load.

When the two got to the place where the trail to the ordinary man's property left the road they stopped. The man set down his basket while the priest thanked him for sharing his time and words with him. The ordinary man reached into his basket to pickup a loaf of hard bread. He handed it to the priest saying he will need it on the long journey ahead.

The priest replied he was a simple priest and lived on modest means and such a loaf was far too much for him. The ordinary man said he knew but he also knew there will be many people on his journey who will need it. And with it he picked up his basket and walked the trail to his home and the priest, looked at the loaf, put it in his satchel and continued on his journey.