Many stories abound from ancient times to today of people’s good deeds being rewarded.
The story of a villager and the county official
During one particular year, Xinxian County suffered a great famine in the Yuzhang area. The people there barely survived.
One villager had nothing but the walls of his home and only a bucket of water in storage. He sold everything he had, which meant he gained only three coins.
He used two coins to buy rice, and the last coin he used to purchase deadly arsenic. That evening, he decided to cook the rice and infuse it with the arsenic. The plan was to share this meal with his wife, and after eating their fill, they would meet their end. Just as the steaming hot rice had finished cooking, a county official arrived at the door to collect taxes. Even this county official struggled to find a meal during the great famine.
Hungry and desperate, the official begged the villagers, hoping to receive a portion of rice. This villager politely stated that no rice was available for sharing. But when the county official entered the kitchen, he spied the steaming hot rice.
He turned around and accused the villager of deceit, falsely claiming no rice was in the house. The villager quickly nodded and helplessly explained, “This rice cannot be eaten!” Tearfully, he revealed the reason. Upon hearing this, the county official immediately understood, poured the entire pot of rice out, and buried it deep in the ground. He then reprimanded the villager, questioning why he would resort to such desperate measures.
Later, he informed the villager that he still had five pecks of grain at home, suggesting he could bring it back to extend their days. This villager was very grateful and took the gifted grain. When he opened it, he was surprised to find 50 pieces of gold hidden inside.
In his astonishment, the villager thought, “This must be the official’s money accidentally mixed into the grain! This kind-hearted county official saved my life; how could I bear to harm him? I must return the fifty pieces of gold immediately!”
Upon seeing this, the county official said, “I am also a poor man! How could I possibly have so much money? I believe this must be Heaven’s gift to you! Please take it back with you!”
However, this villager politely refused to accept it. Ultimately, the two men split the 50 pieces of gold equally. This unexpected windfall made both families wealthy from then on.
A good deed is rewarded during the COVID-19 pandemic
Another story emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. A netizen recounts an event from two years ago. He recalled seeing the Shanghai Urban Management Officers driving away an old vendor selling noodles. He couldn’t bear to see this, so he bought five kilograms of noodles to take home, thinking that he had helped the vendor in a small way.
During the lockdown in Shanghai, this netizen unexpectedly realized that he could fill his stomach with only these noodles and thus avoid hunger. It dawned on him — he thought he had helped the vendor, but indirectly, the old vendor had equally helped him.
This is another vivid example of a real-life situation where good deeds are rewarded with good returns. In times of great disaster and difficulty, upholding kindness and good deeds is even more critical. It has been stated that those who possess great virtue will receive Divine assistance.
In summary
The above two examples from ancient and modern times highlight human nature’s brilliance and confirm the reality of karmic payback.
Translated by Joseph Wu and edited by Maria
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