Debt, often perceived as merely a financial burden, can, according to traditional beliefs, grow over time much like money accruing interest in a bank. Every day you don’t repay, the debt increases. Therefore, those indebted should hasten to settle their obligations. If a person cannot fulfill this basic responsibility of being a good person, how can that person expect to attain prosperity? In fact, failing to repay debts can lead to unexpected consequences.
Many people believe they can enrich themselves by shirking their debts, unaware of the higher powers governing our actions and the unwavering law of cause and effect. However, the repercussions of failing to honor your obligations are profound and often underestimated. Below are a few short stories that illustrate this point.
Even a small debt must be repaid
In the tranquil setting of Nan’an County, a simple debt between neighbors took an unexpected turn. Liang Wei owed Elder Zhao three coins — a minor sum he trivialized. Liang Wei waved off Elder Zhao’s persistent demands with a careless flick of his hand. “Why should I bother with such a trifling sum?” he retorted, his voice full of disdain. “Surely, no one would miss it. What difference could it possibly make?” He dismissed Elder Zhao’s repeated requests for repayment. One evening, under the moonlight, their dispute came to a head. Elder Zhao, firm and unyielding, led Liang Wei to his home to settle the debt once and for all.
Tragically, Liang Wei suffered a heart attack en route. As he passed, a mystical transformation occurred: His soul reincarnated into a piglet born that night to Elder Zhao’s sow. The next morning, Elder Zhao’s family was surprised to find a new pig had been born, worth much more than three coins. However, the pig soon died after falling into a ditch, and was sold for exactly three coins, settling the debt mysteriously.
In the aftermath of this strange occurrence, the villagers pondered the significance of the series of events. They understood that even seemingly minor debts can have unforeseen consequences. It was a reminder to all that honoring your obligations, no matter how small, is crucial for avoiding unexpected hardships.
The shadow of a debt owed
In Qingxi village, Zhang Wei’s peaceful life was overshadowed by a debt of 10 strings of coins to his neighbor, Wang Li, who passed away before it could be repaid. When Zhang Wei’s wife was in labor, he saw Wang Li’s spirit, who ominously declared he had come to collect his debt.
Soon after, the wife gave birth, and the situation turned dire. Despite the tireless efforts of skilled physicians, the infant remained fragile and became seriously ill, causing immense anguish for Zhang Wei and his wife. With each passing day, Zhang Wei found himself burdened by mounting expenses for the child’s care, spending every coin in a desperate attempt to save their beloved offspring. But despite their best efforts, the child ultimately passed away.
In the depths of his grief, Zhang Wei was struck by a revelation. As he tallied the costs of the expenses for their child’s care, he realized that the sum amounted to exactly 10 strings of coins — the very debt owed to Wang Li. At that moment, Zhang Wei understood the true purpose of their child’s brief existence: The infant had come to reclaim the debt they owed to Zhang Wei. Now it was all settled with 10 strings of coins spent.
Thus, in the quiet village of Qingxi, the moral of the story echoed: Honor your debts, reconcile past obligations, and find peace in the knowledge that all debts must be settled, one way or another.
Karmic ties help repay a debt
In the household of Grand Marshal Wang in Xincheng, there lived a diligent bookkeeper. Despite holding no official title, he managed the mansion’s finances and provisions, amassing a considerable fortune over the years.
One day, he had a strange dream where a person approached him and said: “You owe me forty thousand coins (equivalent to forty taels of silver). Pay me back quickly!” The bookkeeper was stunned, and before he could respond, he saw the debt collector enter his home.
The next morning, his pregnant wife gave birth to their son. The bookkeeper suddenly realized that his son was the debt collector, a karmic connection from a past life he couldn’t escape. Therefore, he set aside 40 thousand coins in a separate place. All expenses for his son’s food, medicine, clothing, and other needs were to be taken from this fund.
When his son was three or four years old, he counted the money he had set aside and found that only seven hundred coins remained. The bookkeeper jokingly said: “Son, you’ve almost spent forty thousand coins. Let’s see what you’ll do now!” As soon as he finished speaking, the son’s face suddenly turned pale. In an instant, the child’s health deteriorated, and he passed away. IOnce money was spent, the settlement was closed.
With the money that remained, the bookkeeper buried his son, leaving no trace of the fortune he had set aside.
Translated by Joseph Wu
Follow us on X, Facebook, or Pinterest
