POINTS TO PONDER II
From Reader's Digest
July, 1980

Lin Yutang
I have found no differences that are absolute between Eastern and Western life except in the attitude toward age. In China, one of the first questions a person asks another on an official call is: "What is your glorious age?" If the respondent says, apologetically, 23 or 28, the other offers comfort by saying that he or she still has a glorious future, and may one day become old. Enthusiasm grows in proportion as the individual is able to report a higher and higher age, and if that is anywhere over 50, the inquirer drops his voice in humility and respect. People actually look forward to the celebration of  their 51st birthday.

Mother Teresa
New York City Mayor Ed Koch was recovering from a small stroke at Gracie Mansion when Mother Teresa paid him a get-well visit. He invited her to join him on the porch for cookies and lemonade. When the refreshments were served, Koch noticed that Mother Teresa abstained. "I never take food or drink in the homes of the rich or famous," she explained, "so that when I visit the poor, they won't be embarrassed at having nothing to offer me."