When Michael Ma died, his three best friends went to his funeral.#
They stood for a moment, looking down into the grave of their friend.#
"He was a good friend," the first person said. "He was generous and kind.
Let's give him some money to use in heaven."#
The other two friends agreed. They thought this was a good idea.#
The first friend took his wallet out of his pocket, opened it and took out a
$100 bill. Then he threw it into the grave.#
The second friend did not want the other two to think he was stingy, so he
also took out his wallet.#
"You're right," he said. "He always helped his friends. He deserves to have
everything he needs in his next life."#
And with these words, he also threw a hundred dollar bill into the grave.#
The third man looked at the other two, and thought carefully for several
minutes. He did not want them to think he was stingy, but he really did hate
spending money.#
At last, he bent down, took the two hundred dollar bills out of the grave and
put them in his pocket.#
Then he took out his checkbook and wrote a check for three hundred dollars. He
then threw the check into the grave.#
"I haven't got any change," he said, "but that check is for three hundred
dollars, so I've given the same as you."&