There were two angels sent to earth to walk as men for a time, one older . . . one younger. After a long day they came upon a very nice home where they asked if they might spend the night and rest. The owner, a person of substantial means finally gave into the request and let them use the old cellar in the back of the property. It was cold and damp and as they prepared for sleep the older angel caused a minor miracle to be performed in repairing one wall that was degraded to the point of collapse. The younger angel asked "why did you do that for people that are obviously greedy and self indulgent?". The older simply replied "things are not always as they seem".
The next evening they came upon a small dwelling in the woods and upon inquiring found the farmer and his wife very accommodating . . . to the point of requiring them to use their bed and share their meager meal as they appeared to be very tired and in need of rest. Upon leaving the next morning they noticed the farmer and his wife in the small side yard grieving over the death of their only cow.
As they walked down the road the younger angel became angry and asked, "How could you allow that to happen? Night before last you do good for a person that would barely lift a finger to help and last night you allow this poor but gentle farmer and his wife to loose something of such value." The older angel turned to the younger angel and said "the other night I noticed that the old cellar wall was barely holding back the riches of an old vault, filled with treasures and gold so I repaired it knowing that more of such finery for one such greedy person would not help others. Last night while we slept the angel of death came to take the farmer's wife. I convinced him to take the cow instead.
"THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS AS THEY SEEM"