What is the Only Crime in the World? | A Mindfulness Story
In a distant land, there was an ancient city called Shangri-La. Those who walked its streets knew that the laws were not strict, but a deep sense of justice lived within everyone. According to the beliefs of the Shangri-Lans, there was only one true crime in the world: Theft.
They believed that when you kill someone, you steal their right to live; when you lie, you steal their right to the truth; and when you are lazy, you steal time itself. The people of the city grew up with this belief, passing it down from generation to generation.
One day, an unexpected event shook Shangri-La. The treasury of one of the city’s wealthiest merchants, Hiroshi, had been robbed. All his gold and jewels were gone. A sense of unease spread throughout the city. People began accusing one another, and no one felt safe anymore.
The city’s wise elder, Akari, stepped into the town square to calm the crowd and said:
“Dear Shangri-Lans, theft is not limited to material things. When something is stolen, it is not just gold that is lost—trust and peace are taken too. But most importantly, a person steals from themselves as well.”
At that moment, a young man named Tenzin stepped forward from the crowd. His face was pale, and his eyes were filled with worry.
“I… I made a mistake,” he whispered. “I opened Hiroshi’s treasury and took his gold. But I did not just steal his wealth; I stole my own peace. Since that day, I have carried a heavy burden inside me.”
Akari approached Tenzin and smiled gently.
“It is possible to give back what was taken, Tenzin. But first, you must understand what you have truly stolen. Was it your self-respect? Or the trust of others?”
Tears streamed down Tenzin’ face as he fell to his knees and addressed the crowd:
“I am sorry! I only took what I thought I needed, but I realize now that I didn’t just take Hiroshi’s gold—I stole my own conscience.”
The people of Shangri-La forgave Tenzin, but they gave him a task: not only to return Hiroshi’s gold but to work towards restoring honesty and trust within the city. Under Akari’s guidance, Tenzin devoted himself to this task and, over the years, became a wise and respected figure.
From that day on, the walls of Shangri-La bore these words:
“CRIME IS NOT IN WHAT WE STEAL FROM OTHERS, BUT IN WHAT WE STEAL FROM OURSELVES.”
After this event, the people of Shangri-La became more mindful, they kept their promises, and they always sought the truth.
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This story is inspired by the philosophy presented in Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. Incorporating mindfulness and awareness into our lives can help us recognize what we truly take from ourselves and others.