Alms (n.) and pity are refused by one too rich in what is great, terrible and ugly: "for that I am not beggar enough."
Alms (n.) given only out of pity would have let all beggars starve — the greatest bestower of alms is cowardice.
Alms (n.) requires the receiver to look poor enough, which is work done before the coin arrives.
Alms (n.) is charity sized to leave the giver's week intact.
An Anonymous gift (n.) leaves the recipient with a debt and no address to send it to.
An Anonymous gift (n.) is a donation by someone who hopes everyone will find out without his telling them.
A Birthday gift (n.) gets more expensive every year for children and cheaper every year for everyone else.
A Birthday gift (n.) is like a guess written down and handed over in front of witnesses.
A Birthday gift (n.) settles a debt whose amount both people pretend not to know.
A Birthday gift (n.) is wrapped mostly so the face has time to prepare.
A Birthday present (n.) says more about the giver's idea of you than about you.
A Birthday present (n.) is proof someone remembered the calendar and guessed at you.
A Birthday present (n.) has to be opened in front of the person who chose it, which is the hardest acting most people ever do.
A Birthday present (n.) is a reward for not dying this year.