The Prophet’s advice

(a short story)Once there lived in Arabia a notorious thief. He did not fear anybody. On the other hand, everybody was afraid of him. One day the Prophet (Sm) called him and advised him not to steal.

 “Stealing is a great sin,” said the Prophet, “and nobody respects a thief.” (a short story)

 “O Prophet, ask me to do any other thing. I will so it. But stealing! No I cannot give it up” said the thief.

(a short story) “All right, said the Prophet, “then follow this simple advice : Do not tell a lie.” (a short story) The thief promised that he would not tell a lie from that day.

(a short story)At night the thief went out to steal as usual. On the way a man asked him, “Where are you going?”

(a short story)The thief remembered the advice of the Prophet. So he could not tell a lie. He also could not speak the truth. So he came back home.

(a short story)Next night, too, the thief went out to steal. Again a man met him on the way and asked him. “Where are you going?”

The thief could not tell a lie. He also could not speak the truth. So came back home that night too.

(a short story)The same thing happened to the thief every night. And he could not tell a lie. He also could not speak the truth. So he could not go to steal. As a result he gave up the habit of stealing. And finally he beams a great saint.