Psychologists tested the story of the Good Samaritan. What they learned gives us reason to pause. The greatest determinant of who stopped to help the stranger in need was not compassion, morality, or religious creed. It was those who had the time. Makes me wonder if I have time to do good. Apparently, Angel does. Alan Christoffersen’s diary Early the next morning I was reading the newspaper when Norma walked into my room with her chart. I was testing my legs as I read, lifting one at a time and holding it for as long as I could, which, pitifully, could be measured in microseconds. “Hi,” she said. She looked a little stressed. I set down the paper. “How are you today?” I asked. “Fine. The $100,000 question is, how are you?” “Still here.” “Did you hear …?” she hesitated. “The boy died.” “Who?” “The boy who stabbed you.” I shook my head. “No.” I wasn’t sure how to respond. I wasn’t even sure what to feel. Revenge, justice, pity, sadness? The truth is, I didn’t feel anything.
