In the summer of 2004 I went
by bus to visit a friend in a small Chinese city that I had never been
to before. When my bus got off the highway, the weather was gloomy,
I had no idea of how to get to the downtown area, and there were no
people on the streets to ask for directions except for a few passing
motorists.
After getting off the bus I noticed
several taxi drivers hailing me but I did not take their cabs. Then
while I was walking alone on the pavement, a middle-aged man riding
a pedicab came by and asked if he could take me to town. I hesitated,
remembering my many past experiences of being cheated in cities. However,
the man kept insisting that I get on his pedicab, saying, "I'll
charge you only one yuan." I could not believe my ears when I heard
this—one yuan—the price of an ice popsicle? However, I declined
the man's offer. Then he continued with a, smile, "I'm cycling
to town with an empty cab. Let me give you a ride and earn one yuan."
He sounded quite honest and I was somewhat persuaded while still feeling
a bit hesitant. So I said, "That sounds nice, but once we get downtown,
things may be different since I'm not local." The man looked disappointed
but let me decide. Then finally, I got on the pedicab.
It was a long way into the city
but the man said firmly, "No matter what part of the city you go
to, I'll charge you only one yuan. I mean what I say." While we
rode to the downtown area we conversed and I learned that he was unemployed,
single and living with his elderly parents. And as I looked at his busy
feet and suntanned arms and back, I became convinced that he was an
honest man and felt sympathetic and even sorry for him. When we arrived
downtown, I saw a bus stop and wanted to get off and take a bus to my
friend's home. Also, because it was really hot that day, I hoped that
he could get a new customer and earn another yuan. But the man would
not let me get off his pedicab, saying, "This means you don't trust
me." He then asked me repeatedly to remain seated since he had
promised to take me to my destination.
At last we arrived and I handed
him five yuan. But he refused the money, saying that he had no change.
"This is the fare I want to pay. You don't need to give me any
change," I replied, and his eyes opened wide in bewilderment. I
then said, "You deserve this amount because of your honesty, and
I hope that you always keep your pure, kind heart." The driver
then shook my hand in gratitude, and we reluctantly said good-bye.
I am not rich and knew that a
little money could not change the driver's fate. But I hoped to give
him some encouragement and express my love and deep appreciation for
what he had done.
Later my friend told me that
the city was economically underdeveloped, and even if I had taken a
taxi that day, the fare would have been only four yuan. But I realize
that I rode the pedicab instead of a taxi because God was giving me
a chance to learn about a pure and trusting heart. It is only after
we practice spirituality that we truly and more deeply understand the
value of honesty and trust, which cannot be bought with money. 
