Understanding Forgiveness

There’s a story about a man bitten by a dog that was later discovered to have rabies.  The man was rushed to the hospital where tests revealed that he, too, had contracted the dreaded disease.  At the time, medical science had not yet discovered a cure for rabies, so the doctor had the difficult task of informing his patient that his condition was both incurable and terminal.  “Sir, we’ll do all we can to make you comfortable, but I suggest that you quickly get your affairs in order,” the doctor advised.  The dying man sank back on his bed in shock.  After a few minutes he summoned the strength to ask for a pen and paper.  He then began to write with great energy.  An hour later the doctor stopped by to check up on his patient, who was continuing to write vigorously.  “I’m glad to see you’re working on your will,” the doctor said.  “This ain’t no will,” the man answered.  “This is a list of all the people I’m going to bite before I die!”