By Paulo Coelho
The letter that I can’t answer is lying right here on my desk. It reached me through the efforts of a Dutch couple who sent me an e-mail in June 2006. I lent it no importance, and did not answer. At the end of that same month they wrote again, and again I paid no attention. And then came the warning phrased in more serious words:
“This is the last time we are asking you this favor. It is up to you to write to Justin or not. Or to put it better, it is up to your conscience. I got to know your books because he recommended them. Yours truly, Jacobus” (I shall omit his surname).
I read the text of the e-mail carefully: it says that Justin Fuller, prisoner #999266 at the Polunsky Unit, Livingston, Texas, will be executed exactly on my birthday, the 24th August. His lawyer, Don Bailey, has already been to all the appeal courts, and it looks like the cause is lost. They are not asking me to denounce the fact publicly, or to take some position on the case: they just want me to send this reader some comforting words.
I type Justin’s name in a search tool. I see his photo, then I discover that there is a page with the names of all those who are (or have been) in death row in Texas. I see his criminal record at www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/fullerjustin.htm
I write the letter. The week following my birthday, Jacobus writes to me once more: Justin received it, and answered me before he was executed. The letter is waiting for me in a hotel I usually stay at in a certain town, and that I used as the sender’s address.
Finally, at the end of October 2006, I stop at the hotel. I know that a letter from a man condemned to death awaits me. I know that he has already been executed. I collect the letter, enter a bar, and read the words from someone whom I will never be able to answer. Whom I will never be able to ask permission to publish extracts, but since we are talking about a true aberration of justice – death as an instrument of the State – I shall copy some parts:
“Dear Mr. Coelho:
“Death row is the arena where the policies of Power, Retribution and Violence are applied to a man using materials such as concrete and steel, until this man turns into steel and his heart becomes as hard as concrete. However, though steel can be hard, it can still be flexible, and though the heart can be transformed into concrete, it still beats. Beyond the concrete and the steel stands the man, his love of life, and the great principles that rule human beings.
“Your letter surprised me. And it is very strange that my transcendence (Justin always uses this term instead of “execution”) is to take place just on your birthday. Of course, I hope it does not take place, but we both know that life is always accompanied by death. In the USA they execute prisoners in the name of what they call “justice” without taking into account whether they can be well represented in court, the circumstances of their birth and their family environment.
“While I wait out the last appeal to the Supreme Court, I feel full of life and strong, and my spirit is completely free.
“If I transcend, I will finally be able to float in the wind and enjoy freedom. I have realized that although my body is imprisoned, my life has changed and my soul can still love, because all freedom is mental. Many people in this world, although they are on the outside of prison, are far more in bondage than I am.
“Only when these people come to understand that freedom is a state of the mind will they be able to really enjoy it.”
The letter that I couldn’t answer is much longer. It describes the relationship that we built through my books, and it wishes me and my family all the best. And now it sits on my desk.
The letter that I couldn’t answer, from a man condemned to death, arrested when he was 19 years old and executed when he was 27, contains not a word of lamentation: it speaks of freedom and life.
Copyright by Paulo Coelho
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I thought that this was a very interesting read. I’m glad that you wrote him.
As ever, a very uplifting piece. The strength of the human spirit never ceases to amaze.
This post brought tears to my eyes. It is a reminder to practice gratitude at all times for the life we have and to learn forgiveness and love always. I am sure Justin is now in a better place. It is humbling to see how he has accepted an look forward to his transcendence..a position i have still yet to arrive to.
Thank you Paulo. You have certainly used your time on this earth to inspire many..
I am copying some of your amzing textes for my students on my website and when I read this, I cant stop my tears…
life is so precious, for every being. no matter, what he or she did. there is a field, beyond, where all this makes sense.
when we stop judging, ourselves and others, we will reach the next step of love.
thank you for writing.
When I saw the title of this text I was surprised, why my favorite writer could not response the letter.After reading it I understood…This letter made me cry…
Life reminds us play and not everybody acts his role well in it. Justin acted his role badly…
“We do not need to know “how” or “where” but there is one question that we should all ask whenever we start something:
“What am I doing this for?”
Paulo Coelho
This is a very warm message. In fact what if all human beings could feel free just like Justin. What if we could all see beyond the limits or boundaries that we live in day in day out?
I am reading “Veronika Wants to Die”, It is exaclty my story except of the plot of course. I always find myself in your novels and always ask, why?
Thank you so much for your beautiful and inspiring stories. They make me think and feel differently about myself and they give me courage to overcome the hardships of life!
Have fun in Frankfurt.
Realmente a vida é como justin falou, muitos estão livres mas se sentem muito mais aprisionado do que ele. Assim sou eu, pois apenas com suas palavras e seus livros me sinto livre para voar por todo esse mágico mundo das palvras que somente você sabe como nos transportar,obrigado por voce existir e escrever maravilhosamente bem. Te adoro…
those words you published mr. Paulo brought tears into my eyes
God Bless all souls and for always he acceptes the Regret from anyone
THANK YOU FOR SHARING WITH US
Ahmed
sometimes, when people are condemned to death, they just realize how much alive they are, don’t you think?
this is a very beautiful letter, and you are a great person to spare your time to read and reply all your mails.
i remember answering that saying :” When you know better, you do better.” Maya Angelou
I stand by that 100%.
The very true words were written in that unanswered letter. I always ask my friend and myself also to be free and strong. Thank you Mr. Coehlo.
Thanks for that. x
This is very touching letter..I don’t know what I would have done if I would received such a letter! God! is very hard for the person who reads it..and it’s hard too for the person who writes it too! No doubts about it! Life is not ending here! No! And that “nice” prisoner he knew that THIS IS NOT THE END!
I like the word he used for execution..”transcendence”..Life is a transformation I shall say! Yes, our spirits are through the end more evoluated and they are almost ready to step into something higher and diffent then this world! Oh, this is really a hard subjesct for me..and it’s so late now..almost 11 pm..maybe I will reflect upon it tomorrow..One think I want to say: Never take thinks that happen into your life for granted!!!..or they will never happen!
All my best wishes, Gabriela
Recently I come to realised that people appreciate the value of live if they are about to lose it. I’ve listened to the last album Freedie Mercury(Queen) recorded before his depth(he was diagnosed with AIDS) and all he’s singing about is the admiration of life. “It’s a beautiful day…the sun is shining…I feel good” (”A beautiful day”- “Made in heaven”). Freddie died, Justin Fuller died, they will not have another chance. Yet they sent us a message saiyng open your eyes and see what precious in life,admire it because it’s a miracle.
We are still alive and we are able to appreciate the world all around us, the sun that is shining above us, the blue of sky and everything :)