Forgive

Why do we punish?

A crook, a house he broke into,

A hermit, awake as an owl, he spotted,

The crook, a dagger he withdrew,

The hermit smiled,

"Keep it packed", 

"You must be truly dead broke,

Please do draw all the cash, only,

Retain a penny,

Taxes need to be paid, as I awake,"

As the crook stepped out, startled,

The hermit said, "Won't you utter even a thank you?"

"Thank you," whispered the crook, puzzled,

Long after, the crook captured,

The hermit, "He did not loot, was a guest,

Even said, thank you,"

Tears rolling, the crook gestured,

And knelt down weeping.

Why do we punish?

Inspired by Osho