The Greedy Old Woman In Hell

Loving is a very sound evangelical principle as regards humanity. There's a Russian story that says that an angel came once to an old woman in hell and said to her, “If you can think of anyone good thing you did during your life, I will let you out of hell.” The old lady said, “Well, I once gave a beggar a carrot.” “Very well,” said the angel, “I will let a carrot down into hell and you get hold of it, and I will pull you out.” The old woman was being pulled out, and of course thousands grabbed on to her, and she said, “Get off. This is for me.” They all fell back down, including her, because philia implies solidarity and community.