Helping the beggar

John didn't know what it was that made him do it. Whether the weather, or the smile on the man's face, or just having woken up on the right side of the bed that morning, John was in a good and charitable mood. So when he saw this homeless man sitting on the corner, hat on the ground, wishing him a good day as he passed, he felt compelled to stop. Reaching into his pocket, he removed his wallet, and dropped a twenty into the beggars hat.

"Why," said the homeless man, "that is mighty kind of you." His voice was gentle, though John was surprised to feel a kind of strength behind his words. "But it's much more than a fella like me could ask for for free, brother. Tell me. What can I do for ya in return?"

John was taken aback by the man's words. He had felt compelled on the spot to freely give to this man. He had not expected to receive anything in return, and he did not know what he could possibly ask such a man. It was clear from his appearance of tattered clothes, slightly dulled eyes, messy hair and loose skin that he had little to offer in return. "I do not need anything in return from you, my friend," he explained. "I wished only to give what I could to aid you."

The man smiled and stood up, his body taller and straighter than John had expected. "And there is nothin' ya wish to ask of me, brother?" he asked once more.

John looked up at this homeless man in confusion. This was not the exchange he had expected. "There is nothing," he confirmed.

The strange man smiled wider at that, and reached into his jacket, from which he pulled a single, golden halo. As he revealed it, John could swear the man sprouted large, beautiful white wings. "Permit me to grant you this, my brother," the man said, holding out the halo. Hesitantly, John reached out and took it from him. It was more solid than it appeared, and it held a warmth within it that was otherworldly. As he held it, he felt a pull on his back, and looked over his shoulder to see tattered, broken wings there.

The man raised a finger to his lips, urging John to be quiet. "For your generosity, I bestow upon thee mine halo, so that ye might witness the glory of heaven," he whispered. The weakness that had previously been present in his voice was gone, replaced fully with the warmth that had been hidden beneath. "But return to me in an hour, brother, else ye lose your ticket that will permit you entry in your time."

John looked into the stranger's eyes, and could see the sincerity in them. Silently he nodded, and moved the halo to be above his head. Suddenly the world before him was darkness, and the sound vanished. It lasted for only a moment, before he found himself standing before a golden gate. He peaked inside to see high rising buildings built with the finest materials by masterful hands. Precious metals ran like water, and he could see animals drinking from them, refreshed by them regardless of their appearance, as if by magic.

"I don't think I've seen you here before," came a deep voice from behind him. John turned quickly to come face to face with a towering form clad in pitch black armor, a large two handed sword sheathed on his hip. John froze, unsure of what to do. He was filled suddenly with fright, overpowering fear that pushed through him like a bullet.

Slowly the man removed his helmet. Beneath it was a pale face, average at best, far from handsome and yet somehow undeniably beautiful. He held the helmet beneath his arm so that he might remove his gauntlet, revealing a soft and gentle hand, which he extended out. John took it delicately to shake, but this man's delicate appearing hand clamped down on his own like a lion's jaw.

"My name is Gabriel," the man said, a smile on his face. "What is yours?"

John was stunned in silence. The archangel Gabriel was standing before him. "But..." he breathed. "You... An angel..."

Gabriel chuckled as he released his hand. "We must always be ready to fight in the darkness to save our children, even when they don't know they are in danger," he explained. "Can't well do that if we are bright and shining, standing out and scaring any who see us, can we?"