And ye visited me...

Upatissa Attygalle

Lady Valentia Guneratne got down from her chauffeur driven limousine and wrapped her saree round her with a slight shiver.

It had rained in the night and the air was still chilly. She paused a moment for Mrs Fernando, who had acquired the position of being Lady Guneratne's companion by agreeing to everything her ladyship said.

Mrs Fernando who was a widow, in this manner enjoyed some of the comforts of life and managed to move in the best circles of society.

They hurried towards the church for the service had begun.

Near the church steps was a Hibiscus tree. Its serrated leaves and the petals of its big red flowers carried drops of water which sparkled like gems in the sunlight.

From behind this tree appeared a beggar.

He wore round his loins a dirty piece of tattered cloth turned yellow from long use. His uncut hair straggled down his face and was a muddy brown in colour.

He staggered forward on his emaciated wobbly legs with his body crouched as if against the chill in the air.

Lady Guneratne gasped at the extended attenuated hand that held a shivering empty tin.

"Get out!" she managed to say when she regained her breath.

From the interior of the church the priest's voice could be faintly heard.

"For I was hungered and ye gave me meat:

I was thirsty and ye gave me drink...."

"How dare you come here of all places. Do you know this is a church? A house of God?"

"I was a stranger and ye took me in Naked and ye clothed me....."

"Please lady have pity on me. I have had nothing to eat from last evening. I was under the church porch last night but I got no sleep for I had nothing to cover myself from the wind and rain," pleaded the beggar looking sadly at her with his hollow sunken eyes.

"Hilda have you ever heard of such a thing? These creatures worry us enough by coming to our houses but this wretch has the audacity to come into the church," said her ladyship addressing her companion.

"I was sick and ye visited me....."

"Please lady have pity on a miserable sinner," whined the beggar.

"I am not going to give you one cent. Get out of the church premises at once before I get you thrown out."

With this Lady Valentia Guneratne turned to her companion and walked into the church.

"Verily I say unto you. In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me."