John was a young man who lived in a small town. He was known for being hardworking but often took shortcuts to finish his work quickly.
One day, he was entrusted with a large sum of money to
deliver to a nearby village. The temptation to keep a portion of the money for
himself crossed his mind.
“What’s a little bit of dishonesty?” he thought. But then he
remembered the old saying, “Honesty is the best policy.”
As John walked along the path, he encountered an elderly man
who looked worn out. The man asked him for some help, saying, “A friend in need
is a friend indeed.”
Though John hesitated at first, he decided to offer the man
food and some of his time. The old man smiled and said, “Kindness is a language
the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”
Feeling good about his small act of kindness, John continued
on his way.
As he approached the village, he thought again about the
money. “If I take just a little, no one will ever know,” he reasoned. But his
conscience nudged him again, and he recalled the quote, “What is done in the
dark will come to light.”
He sighed, realizing that being truthful was the only way to
live peacefully. So, he delivered every last penny to the intended recipient.
On his way back home, John stumbled upon a gold coin in the
dirt. Amazed, he picked it up and felt a wave of relief. It was as though life
was rewarding him for his honesty. “As you sow, so shall you reap,” he thought
with a smile.
The story of John's integrity spread throughout the village,
and people began to trust him more. From that day forward, he held his head
high, knowing that truthfulness brought its own rewards. As the saying goes,
“Honesty may be costly, but it's worth it.”
Moral: Honesty,
though challenging, always leads to lasting peace and prosperity.