Ducking into confession with a turkey in his arms, the man said, “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. I stole this turkey to feed my family. Would you take it and assuage my guilt?”
“Certainly not,” said the priest. “As penance, you must return it to the one from whom you stole it.”
“I-I tried,” the man sobbed, “but he refused. Oh, Father, what should I do?”
“If what you say is true, then it is all right for you to keep it for your family.”
Thanking the priest, the man hurried off.
When confession was over, the priest returned to his residence. When he walked into the kitchen, he found that someone had stolen his Thanksgiving turkey.