Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: A bird was given to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) as a gift and was placed before him (peace and blessings be upon him). He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Allah, send to me the most beloved of Your creation to You, so that he may eat with me." Just then Sayyiduna Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) came and knocked on the door. I asked: Who is it? He said: I am Ali. I said: the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is busy with something. He went back three times, and each time he kept coming again. At last he struck the door with his foot and came in. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked: "What kept you back?" He said: I came three times, and each time I was told that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was busy. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked (me): "What made you do that?" I said: I wanted (that person) to be a man from my own people.
Hadith Referenceالمعجم الكبير للطبراني / باب الألف / 726