Helping strangers in need
In Shandong, Ding Qianxi was known for his chivalry and generosity. He often did good deeds by helping the poor and standing up for the weak. When local authorities bullied his neighbor, Ding Qianxi defended them, which led to his being pursued by the government. Forced to flee, he wandered until he arrived at a small village called Anqiu. Caught in a heavy rainstorm, Ding Qianxi was cold and hungry and sought shelter in a household.
This household consisted only of a woman and a child. The child was considerate, providing Ding Qianxi with food and lodging and even feeding his horse. The child explained: “My father is often away on business, so my mother is unavailable to meet guests; please understand.”
The next day, after the rain stopped, Ding Qianxi offered some silver as a token of gratitude, but the mother and child refused it. They explained that the man of the house often received help when he was away, and everyone encountered difficulties at some point, so offering a helping hand was a simple act. Ding Qianxi was deeply moved and decided to befriend this family. He left his name and address, urging them to seek him out in the future if needed.
Years later, Ding Qianxi resolved his legal troubles, returned to his hometown, and rebuilt his career, which flourished. Meanwhile, the family that had once sheltered him faced misfortune, losing their wealth and struggling to survive. In their dire situation, the woman remembered the address Ding Qianxi had left and asked her husband to try to find him.
To their surprise, Ding Qianxi remembered the family that had helped him years ago. He warmly welcomed them and generously extended his assistance, helping them overcome their difficulties and rebuild their livelihood.
When the family helped Ding Qianxi, they had no ulterior motives, acting purely out of kindness. Over the years, they had even forgotten about the incident. However, this good karma brought them blessings in their time of need.
The sparrows saved their family
At the end of the Ming Dynasty, Bai Zhizhen loved animals and never harmed them. In winter, sparrows would search for food and often flew into his courtyard. Seeing this, Bai Zhizhen cleared a space in the yard and scattered grains for the sparrows to eat. The sparrows, unafraid, quickly swooped down to peck at the grains. Watching the sparrows eat and fly away happily, Bai Zhizhen was delighted and continued to scatter grains daily. Over time, the sparrows came to his house daily, flying around him.
As the New Year approached, a group of bandits suddenly invaded the village, robbing and killing many. Bai Zhizhen, upon hearing this, hid his family in the cellar, not daring to make a sound. When the bandits arrived at Bai Zhizhen’s house, they were pleased to see the courtyard, which looked like it belonged to a wealthy family.
However, upon entering, they only saw a flock of sparrows flying around, and the place was eerily quiet. The bandits thought, “How could there be so many sparrows in a house with people? This family must have heard the news and fled.” So, they left without even entering the house.
After the bandits left, Bai Zhizhen emerged from the cellar and walked around the village, finding it in ruins. Yet, nothing in his home was missing, and the sparrows were still chirping in the yard. He immediately understood these lovely little creatures had invisibly saved his entire family.
Why do I still live poorly despite doing so many good deeds?
Many people say such stories are too distant; they want to know why they still live poorly despite doing so many good deeds. The answer is simple: Whether you live well or not depends on how you define it. It doesn’t necessarily mean you must be wealthy and prosperous to live well.
Your blessings might be a healthy body, peaceful days, a happy family, or outstanding descendants. Blessings may not come immediately nor make you very rich, but they will undoubtedly make you a complete person. “Do good deeds without asking for the future” because blessings are coming.
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