Once upon a time there were two sisters.  The first had no children and was rich.  The second was a widow who had five children and was so poor that she no longer had enough food for herself and her children.  So she went to her sister in distress and said, “My children and I are suffering a great deal from hunger.  Since you’re so rich, give us some bread.”  However, the sister, who was as rich as a gold mine and also had a heart made of stone, replied, “I myself have nothing in the house”, and she turned her poor sister away with angry words.

After a while the rich sister’s husband came home and wanted to cut a slice of bread for himself.  However, as he made the first slice in the loaf, red blood gushed out.  When his wife saw it, she became horrified and told him what had happened.  He rushed to the widow’s house to help her, but as he entered her living room he found her praying and holding the two youngest children in her arms.  The three oldest were lying dead on the ground.  He offered her some food, but she declined.  ”We no longer desire earthly food.  Thanks to God three of us are already content, and He will answer the rest of our prayers as well.”  She had barely uttered these words, when her two little ones stopped breathing, whereupon her heart broke, and she sank to the ground dead.

-From the Brothers Grimm