Candle Sticks

Jean was a convict. As he came out of jail on parole no one was willing to give food or shelter. He went from door to door, tired, hungry and distressed. Finally, a priest invited him to his house. He was kind to the convict and treated him like a gentleman and not a criminal. He gave Jean a good dinner and a comfortable bed to sleep on.

But Jean could not sleep. He had seen the silver articles on the table and wanted to steal. He thought of becoming rich and lead a happy life by stealing them by getting a benefit. Therefore, silently, in midnight, tied the silver articles in to a bundle and escaped.

Unfortunately, the next morning before he left the town, he was caught by the police. Jean was very frightened because he had earlier experienced jail life. He knew that the police would beat him badly if he told lies. So he confessed that he had stolen the silver articles from the priest. The police took him to the priest's house for the identification.

The priest had discovered the theft already but he did not want to complain about Jean. When he saw the police approach the house, he knew that Jean had been caught. The priest said "please let Jean go free, he had not stolen the silver articles, I gave them to him as a gift".

Police left Jean and went away. And Jean fell at the feet of the priest and asked for his forgiveness.

The priest said, you forgot to take these candle sticks, take these too, but promise me in return, that you will never do any thing wrong again.

It is very difficult promise for Jean. But Jean was moved by the priest's kindness. From that day, he never stole again and lived by honesty and hard work.