The Flaming Banknote

On a dark night in the Mekong Delta, the ink-black sky hung heavy. Inside a spacious mansion, two men sat across from each other at a tea table. They were Mr. Black and Mr. White, two famously wealthy landowners from the French colonial era. The large room felt cavernous, yet the atmosphere was dense with tension.

For a long time, they had been locked in a rivalry. From grand matters like purchasing land and building estates, to trivial ones like their manner of dress, each man sought to prove his superiority. The title of "the richest man in the West" was something they were willing to burn money to fight for.

Suddenly, Mr. Black fumbled and dropped a five-dong banknote onto the floor. The room was too dark to see, so he had to lean down to grope for it. Mr. White, watching from his seat, saw the scene, and a gleam entered his eyes. He slowly pulled a twenty-dong note from his pocket, took out a lighter, and set the bill on fire. The flame flared up, illuminating the table, the chairs, and the bent, searching face of Mr. Black.

"Here, use this for light," Mr. White said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm burning a twenty-dong note so you can find your five-dong note. I'm much richer than you, and I don't care."

Mr. Black lifted his head, his face flushed red. He understood instantly: Mr. White did not intend to help, but to prove he was wealthier, someone who could burn money like trash. And he, Mr. Black, was the one left stooping to pick up loose change. A wave of humiliation washed over him, but he said nothing. He simply gritted his teeth, picked up the five-dong note, and put it in his pocket.

The onlookers who witnessed this scene reacted differently—some shook their heads, others sighed. They knew this rivalry had no end. Each man possessed a vast fortune, yet their jealousy ensured they could never live in peace, could never bear to see the other gain even a slight advantage.

Years later, people still recounted this story. They would say that money can be earned again, but a petty and jealous heart is difficult to mend. The flame that burned the twenty-dong note that year had actually consumed more than a piece of paper; it also scorched away the human decency and inner peace in the hearts of two men who were rich in wealth but impoverished in virtue.

**The Meaning of the Story**

This story reveals how jealousy drives people to chase after illusory things, like reputation and pride, forgetting the true value of life. A person filled with jealousy will never feel content, will never be happy, for they are constantly comparing themselves to others. The lesson is to let go of competition, to live with selflessness, and to cherish what one already has.

Compiled from a dharma talk by Venerable Thích Chân Quang.