A young man was awoken one night because someone appeared in his room; a man of about 30. He was very thin, his face was pale and chapped from exhaustion and he was completely naked. He was beaten up very badly. Deep wounds, cuts, welts, bruises were covering his whole body. His eyes were dark with despair of a hunted animal, but not unloving. He reached out to him, saying, ‘Look what they’ve done. Can you find justice for me?’

The young man had prided himself on having many connections in the city and being able to impress people with being able to acquire delicacies on demand, or reach people in high official positions without waiting in line. Even if he could put the guilty party behind bars, it would be impossible now to find those who did this. The young man realized he cannot find justice for this man.

The man pointed at the most gruesome, deepest cut over his heart. 'This one pains me the most.' He said. ‘Can you heal me?’ asked the man. Even if the doctor would be called for, it would take him a long time to get there, and the young man was certain that even with the best treatment this man would not return to the normal condition ever again. The young man realized he cannot heal him. He felt totally helpless.

‘If you cannot heal me, at least touch me.’
As the young man stood up to try to do something, the figure disappeared.


The young man became St. Francis of Assissi.