Need Identification

There lived an old farmer on a Hill.

One cold winter day, he slowly walked several miles through the freezing snow to his local and very remote chapel for Sunday service. 

No-one else was there except the clergyman.

"I'm not sure it's worth proceeding with the service - I think it would be better to go back to our warm homes and have a hot drink?.." said the clergyman inviting a mutually helpful reaction from his audience of one.

"Well, I'm just a simple farmer," says the old crofter, "But when I go to feed my herd, and if only one beast turns up, I sure don't leave it hungry."

Hearing this the clergyman, felt ashamed about himself and his behavior. 

He delivers his service - all the bells and whistles, hymns and readings, lasting a good couple of hours - finishing proudly with his fresh learning that no matter how small the need, our duty remains. 

"Was that okay?" asks the clergyman, as the two set off home.

"Well I'm just a simple farmer," says the old crofter, "But when I go to feed my herd, and if only one beast turns up, I sure don't force it to eat what I brought for the whole herd..."

From which we see the extra lesson, that while our duty remains regardless of the level of need, we have the additional responsibility to ensure that we adapt our delivery (of whatever is our stock in trade) according to the requirements of our audience.