Lunch for the Homeless, as told by my brother

I asked my brother if I could share one of the stories I remember him telling when I a teenager and younger. He is one of those gifted storytellers that you just want to listen to all night long in front of the campfire. I remember a family reunion where we were all sitting around said campfire and were taking turns telling stories, except it was all one story. Where one person left off, the other would begin. My brother has a great balance of creativity/imagination and scientific knowledge, so when it was his turn, it was always very interesting. He could bring the 5 year-old's contribution to the story (then a fairy appeared and they flew up to the rainbow) back on track to the cool Star Trek-flavored plot that had us all ears. But he also has some stories that are valuable in their own way because they are real and show goodness and humanity.  The following story is lacking in the exciting, mind-boggling scientific phenomenon, but it is perfect in its simplicity.

I decided to post this in his own words. He didn't change his name, so I'll change it for him. Let's call him Fred. Short for Frederick, which is very classy. Because my brother is a classy person. Now my other siblings can try to figure out who Fred is. (But the Star Trek hint probably gave it away.)

Today as I was waiting in line at the food court, a homeless person approached me and in a very unassertive manner asked me..."if I could help him out." I asked specifically what he needed. The conversation went something like this:
Fred: What do you need?
Homeless Person: (pauses...) I would like a sandwich.
Fred: (Eying the McDonalds on the other side of the food court) How about a Big Mac?
HP: Well, (stammers...) could I have a milk shake instead?
Fred: Sure, anything you want, just name it.
HP: How about a large vanilla milk shake?
Fred: Is that it? You do look pretty hungry.
HP: Could I have a large milk shake and a Big Mac?
Fred: Sure, let's go get it for you.
We then went over to McDonalds and I purchased what we had agreed. I've never seen a more thankful person.

I don't understand what it is like to be truly hungry and destitute. I am thankful I don't. It makes me feel good to think of that man who received a warm meal. I don't know to what extent the man's circumstances were a result of his own poor choices or simply a rough hand dealt at no fault of his own. Thankfully that is not asked of us to determine. I only think of the scripture in Matthew 5:42: "Give to him that asketh."