Paulo Coelho

Stories & Reflections

20 sec reading: the fake coins

Author: Paulo Coelho

An old man was selling toys at the market in Bagdad. His buyers, knowing he had weak sight, would sometimes pay him with fake coins.

The old man noticed the trick but didn’t say anything.
In his prayers he asked God to forgive those who had tricked him.

‘Perhaps they don’t have much money and want to buy gifts for their children,’ he would say to himself.

Time passed by and the man died.
Standing before the portal of Paradise, he prayed once again. ‘Lord,’ he said, ‘I am a sinner.

‘I did many things wrong, I am no better than the fake coins I was given. Forgive me!’

On that moment the gate opened and a Voice said:
‘What should I forgive? How can I judge someone who has never judged anyone throughout his life?

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