At first glance she looked like any old woman. Plodding along in the snow, alone, neglected, head bowed. People passing on the busy city sidewalk averted their eyes, lest she remind them that pain and suffering did not stop to celebrate Christmas.
　　A young couple, smiling,talking, laughing, arms loaded with Christmas presents, took no notice of the old woman.
　　A mother with two small children hurried by, on their way to grandmother's house. They took no notice.
　　A minister walked by proudly carrying his Bible in his right hand, like a well amred Christian soldier. But his mind was stayed on heavenly things, and he took no notice.
　　If these people had noticed, they would have seen that the old woman wore no shoes. She walked barefoot in the ice and snow.