The staff at a local United Way office realized that it had never received a…

The staff at a local United Way office realized that it had never received a donation from the town's most successful lawyer.

The person in charge of contributions called him to persuade him to contribute and said, "Our research shows that out of a yearly income of at least $500,000, you give not a penny to charity. Wouldn't you like to give back to the community in some way?"

The lawyer mulled this over for a moment and replied, "First, did your research also show that my mother is dying after a long illness, and has medical bills that are several times her annual income?"

Embarrassed, the United Way representative mumbled, "Um... No."

"Or," the lawyer continued, "that my brother, a disabled veteran, is blind and confined to a wheelchair?"

The stricken United Way representative began to stammer out an apology but was interrupted when the lawyer added, "Or that my sister's husband died in a traffic accident," the lawyer's voice rising in indignation, "leaving her penniless with three children?"

The humiliated United Way representative, completely beaten, said simply, "I had no idea..."

On a roll, the lawyer cut him off once again, "So if I don't give any money to them, why should I give any to you?


to realize - понимать, осознавать
donation - денежное пожертвование
person in charge - ответственное лицо
persuade . убеждать, урезонивать
yearly income - годовой доход
give charity to - подавать милостыню; благотворительный взнос
in some way - в некотором роде
to mull over - обдумывать, размышлять
mumble - бормотать
disabled veteran - инвалид войны
disabled - искалеченный, лишенный трудоспособности
confined to wheelchair - прикованный к инвалидной коляске
to stammer out - запинаться, произносить с остановкой
penniless (идиом.) - без штанов
indignation - негодование, возмущение
humiliated (прил.) - пристыженный
on a roll - удачливый