There was once a boy who wanted a Bible very much. He wanted it more than anything else he could think of. But he was a poor boy and could not afford to buy one, for he lived a good many years ago when Bibles cost more than they do now.

One day two strangers came to his house and asked the boy's mother for something to eat. Though she had only plain food, she gladly gave them what she had. As they ate, they saw that the boy was sad. They asked him what he wanted and he told them that he wanted a Bible.

His mother said, "Never mind, don't fret about that. I'll take you to see General Washington next week."

"I'd rather have a Bible than see General Washington," said the boy.

One of the gentlemen seemed much pleased with this and told him he hoped he would always be that fond of the Bible.

The very next day, the boy received a beautiful Bible, and on the flyleaf was written "From George Washington." The boy did not know it, but he had been talking to George Washington the day before!

—Selected