Forgiveness is happiness

I came back from the office at 11 pm. I was very tired and wanted rest. Today only I had salary and cash was there in my wallet. After freshen up, I just had dinner and slept. 

Morning, the doorbell was ringing continuously. I opened the door.  

“Good Morning, please pay the milk bill for the month.” Milk Man was on the door. 

“ Ok, How much I need to pay,” I replied.

 “500,” he said. 

I went to bring money. I just counted the money in my wallet, I observed that 100 less in my wallet.  Anyway, I paid the cash and closed the door. 

I immediately asked my younger brother, “ Hey Sam, have you taken money from my wallet?” 

He replied “ no,” 

I thought “ Ok, I might have lost somewhere.” 

But, I doubted Sam as I found his eyes were telling a different story. I decided to watch him. The next day, I found that again Cash is less. Now my suspect became stronger and I just decided to keep watch on him. As it was a holiday, we started cleaning of house in the morning. I was behaving normally but I kept complete watch on Sam. Finding me busy cleaning our guest room, Sam went to my bedroom. I followed him. I found him taking money from my wallet. I just kept quiet and moved away. I followed him further to see what he do with this money. I saw him he was adding money to his  “Piggy Bank” I came back and behaved as if I know nothing. 

A lot of thoughts came to my mind. Initially, I became very angry about his behavior. But today I had read a Jainism book where 10 religions to be followed, were explained. In which first was “forgiveness” 

I thought,” Ok, I will forgive him.” 

But I need to verify why he was stealing money. We are only two brothers, living in one apartment. My brother is everything to me. He is just a teenager and studying. I used to give him enough pocket money to suffice his needs. I kept observing, and he stole money again two-three times. 

I still kept patience because I did not see him spending anything from that box. 

I was knowing my brother. He will not do anything wrong. But still, I kept thinking about why he did this. If he would have asked me, I would have given him. He knows me very well. I was getting nervous but still, I kept patience. 

That day, I came back from the office early. I found that his box is empty and no cash is there. Now I got very much impatient. I decided to scold him for this today. 

After having food, I slept. Exactly at 00:00 am, the doorbell started ringing. I was sure, Sam would be there. He had gone out without informing me. Now I was about to lose patience and was in the mood of shouting at Sam. I woke up and opened the door. I saw Sam in front of me.  

I started shouting at him without looking at him.  But my all anger lost in the air, when he started singing “Many Many Happy Returns of the Day Dear Bro! Happy birthday to you” 

He handed over to me a box of cake on which one more small gift-wrapped box was kept. I had no words to explain Happiness. Even I had forgotten my birthday today. He told me to cut the cake. We did this celebration for half an hour. Then I opened the gift wrap. I was surprised to see an iPhone, my dream mobile cell phone. I understood that he used the money to celebrate my birthday. I was very happy.  

He came to me and said “ Sorry bro, I had stolen your money for this!!” 

I told him, “it's okay, but promise me, you will not do theft again.” 

He agreed. 

There is happiness in forgiveness.