Poor little Uli trudged all alone down the dark, cold streets of München, Germany. It was early January of 1803, and winter’s bitterness was in full swing. Just that afternoon Uli had been kicked out of the orphanage because they were too full. He was given the shoes on his feet, the coat on his back, a small loaf of bread, and a thick blanket.

Now it was nighttime, and a heavy snow had started to fall. Uli kept walking along the unlit cobblestone streets searching for a warm nook or cranny to hole up in. He eventually found a small back ally that was sheltered from the wind. Thinking it was empty, Uli traversed into its dark interior only to be startled by a young mother and her weeping child.

“What do you want here?” the woman snapped at Uli, frightening him further. Uli replied slowly.

“I meant no harm, Mum, I was only looking for a warm place to sleep,” Uli stood there shivering.

“Well you’ll find no sleep here;” the woman snapped again, a little less harshly, “My child is hungry and won’t stop crying!” Uli felt sorry for the mother and her child and tried to think of some way he could help.

“I don’t have much, Mum, but I do have a loaf of bread here that you could have,” Uli produced the loaf of bread and held it out to the woman. At first she did not react but then she slowly reached out and took it, proffering it to her child.

“Thank you, child. You may sleep here if you like,” she uttered a little friendlier sounding.

“No thanks, I’m going to keep walking to try and stay warm.” Uli continued on his way, slightly hungry, and already quite cold. Soon he passed by a dark doorway. He was about to walk past when he heard a faint cry. Somewhat startled he went closer and stared into the doorway to see a little girl just a little younger than him trying to stay warm.

“Are you alright?” he asked in a soft kind voice. Either because she was afraid or just to cold she did not reply but shuttered inwardly.

“Here, take my coat and blanket, you need it more than I do,” he said in that kind voice as he wrapped the jacket and blanket around her small form. He got up and turned to go on his way when she uttered a single word.