"Madeline managed the Gem Star Jewelry Store in Free City. One afternoon, she was eating at an outdoor restaurant with a friend when a homeless man approached. 'Miss,' he said, 'my name is Mort. I was a noble who fled the North. The Kingdom betrayed us, and my family is gone. I'm the only one left, surviving by begging. Would you be willing to help me? Perhaps with some food?'"
"After speaking, Mort looked at Madeline hopefully. Though the young man had fallen on hard times, his manners were still those of a gentleman. Moved to pity, Madeline smiled. 'Of course. But the food here takes a while, and I imagine you need something to eat right away, don't you?' She reached for her money, only to find that she had nothing but a few gold coins. Embarrassed, she didn't know what to do next."
"Mort saw her predicament and gave her a pleading look. 'If you trust me, could you lend me one of those gold coins? I'll only buy what I need...' Kindhearted Madeline agreed and handed him a Gold Narl."
The residents gathered around the bonfire let out a gasp.
Even with prices soaring in Starer City, where a single silver coin now bought only a pound of black Bread, most of them had never seen a Gold Narl in their lives. They were astonished that she had simply handed one to a beggar.
Lame Bob continued. "Mort didn't leave as soon as he got the Gold Narl. Instead, he asked quietly, 'Besides food, I need a cheap pair of Fast Pants. Would that be all right?' Faced with his rather greedy request, Madeline answered without hesitation, 'Of course. If you need anything else, you can buy that with the Gold Narl too.'"
"After Mort left with