The Smile of the Man Who Lost His Money on the Street

**Summary:** Believing in cause and effect, he accepts losing his money to a pickpocket, and his suffering instantly eases.

The late afternoon street was still bustling with passersby. The warm aroma of bread from a street vendor floated on the breeze, and the sharp sounds of motorbike horns echoed intermittently. A middle-aged man walked in the middle of the road, his hand tightly gripping a leather briefcase containing a month's savings for his family. Sweat beaded on his forehead, not from the heat, but from thoughts of his child's school fees and the dwindling rice at home. As he walked, he quietly calculated: the tuition was due in a few days, then there was the daily market money, and medicine for his elderly mother.

He sighed, walking faster. But just as he stopped at a vegetable stall, a light touch on his shoulder, a brief gust of wind, and when he reached to touch his briefcase, the inner pocket was completely empty. The money had simply vanished.

For several years, since his wife passed away, he had shouldered the entire family alone. His worker's salary was modest; he saved every penny, setting aside a bundle of cash in his briefcase each month to take home and care for his child and mother. Years of hardship had made him accustomed to scarcity, yet never before had he lost everything so suddenly on the street. The empty pocket in the briefcase left him rooted to the spot, his feet as if glued to the pavement.

His heart constricted, his hands trembling as they searched the meaningless void. He closed his eyes, and in his mind flashed the image of his daughter crying because there was no money for school fees, and his mother asking why her medicine hadn't been sent this month. A long sigh escaped his lips. He was torn inside: should he run to search, shout out, or curse his fate?

He muttered to the vendor beside him. The old woman shook her head and patted his shoulder, saying, "Sir, once it's gone, complaining won't bring the money back. Go home and find another way."

But he knew that if he held onto anger and regret, the suffering would cling to him all night. Then he remembered the Master's teachings at the temple: when suffering arrives, it is the fruit of past actions; accepting it ends the suffering. He stood still amidst the flowing crowd, closed his eyes, and whispered to himself:

"Well, perhaps I made some mistake in a past life. Now that this karmic debt is paid, I can be at ease."

He opened his eyes, looked at the old woman, and his voice was calmer: "You're right. It's gone. I accept it. Crying won't bring the money back now."

The woman nodded approvingly, "That's the way. Go home and think of other things. Sitting here being sad won't help at all."

He nodded, removed his hand from the briefcase, and his arm slowly lowered as if a heavy, invisible burden had been lifted. This was the turning point: when he sincerely believed in cause and effect (karmic law), the turmoil in his heart eased almost completely. He no longer saw himself as a victim, but as someone who had just settled an old debt.

After that moment, he turned and walked home. There was no more hurry, no more gritting of teeth. He knew his plans were disrupted, but this acceptance helped him see clearly: he would manage with less food, he would explain the situation to his child, and he would ask relatives for help for a few days. He resolved it with a calm attitude, blaming no one, harboring no resentment toward the pickpocket.

The following month, despite still being poor, he felt lighter in heart than before. His child understood, and his mother felt at ease because her son was no longer stern and frowning. He still went to work, still cared for his family, but whenever a small adversity arose, he would just smile: believing in cause and effect, accepting, and suffering naturally departs. The lesson sank in gradually, making his life less tumultuous, even though his wallet remained fragile.

**The Meaning of the Story**

Accepting suffering with a belief in the law of cause and effect helps diminish our afflictions (kleshas). When loss occurs, instead of anger or denial, understand it as karmic retribution that needs to be repaid. This allows the mind to find peace and the strength to move forward, rather than sinking into misery.

Compiled from a dharma talk by Venerable Thích Chân Quang.