Last weekend when visiting with family we heard a wonderful story that illustrates reciprocity--a key ingredient of social capital. 

It all started with an act of sharing. My parents recently had to put down one of their dogs and as a result had an extra doggy bed. Knowing that their neighbors had dogs, they asked the family if they would like the bed. The family gladly received it. A few weeks later, the neighbors knocked on the door. Upon answering, they explained that...