"Charity" is a short story by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1893. The story follows a man named John, who has lost his job and is struggling to make ends meet. Despite his poverty, John continues to give money to a beggar he encounters every day, even though he knows the beggar will only spend it on alcohol. As John's financial situation worsens, he begins to question why he feels compelled to give the beggar money, and whether his charity is truly helping the man or simply enabling his bad habits. The story raises questions about the nature of charity and the ethics of giving to those in need.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1893 · Genre: Satire, Short Stories, Classics