A Stolen Wallet, A Returned Check

A Stolen Wallet, A Returned Check

BY: Ubaid

“Please hurry up, Ammi! I’m already late,” Javed pleaded with folded hands, as his mother insisted he finish his tea before leaving. “At least sometimes, you should allow me a light breakfast.”

His mother laughed at his antics. “Do you speak like this in your office too? I’m sure in front of your bosses, you only say ‘Yes, Sir. Of course, Sir’ and nothing else.”

“Ammi, that’s the office. This is home. They are bosses, and you are my dear mother. There’s a huge difference,” Javed replied, kissing her hand before grabbing his lunchbox. He offered a quick goodbye and hurried out the door.

It was Thursday morning. The streets bustled with the usual weekday chaos. Javed reached the bus stop just in time to catch an overcrowded bus. After pushing his way through the crowd, he managed to get inside. With no seat available, he clutched a metal pole and balanced himself. Moments later, the conductor appeared, demanding fare. Javed pulled out his wallet, paid for his ticket, and slid the wallet back into his pocket.

When the bus finally stopped at his destination, Javed squeezed his way through the passengers and stepped down onto the pavement. Instinctively, he reached into his pocket—only to freeze. His wallet was gone. His face turned pale.

A cunning thief had emptied his pocket.

Javed’s mind raced back to the moment he pulled out his wallet for the conductor. He remembered a young man standing close by, staring intently at the wallet. That must have been the pickpocket. But now it was too late.

Standing on the sidewalk, Javed counted his losses: about six hundred rupees, his national ID card, and—his heart sank—a check. A ten-thousand-rupee check.

The check wasn’t for him. It was for Rani.

Rani’s innocent face flashed before his eyes.


---

A Noble Cause

Javed wasn’t just any young man. He was known in his neighborhood for his kindness and compassion. Along with a few like-minded friends, he had established a small welfare organization. Their mission was simple yet powerful: to help struggling families stand on their own feet.

Over the years, they had supported poor households, provided food supplies, and most importantly, helped young women from needy families with marriage expenses. Collecting donations from generous businessmen and kind-hearted citizens, they used the funds to buy household goods and furniture for brides.

Rani’s family was among those in need. Her father was poor, barely managing to provide daily meals. When her marriage was arranged, Javed and his friends stepped in. They immediately began collecting donations for her dowry and essentials.

Just the day before, Javed had received a large contribution from a wealthy businessman. But instead of handing him cash, the businessman had issued a check worth ten thousand rupees. That check was now gone, stolen along with Javed’s wallet.

For the thief, it was nothing more than a useless piece of paper. But for Rani’s family, it meant everything. Without it, her marriage might fall apart.


---

Ten Days of Anguish

Days passed in frustration and helplessness. Javed placed an advertisement in the local newspaper, offering a reward if anyone found the check. But no one responded.

As the wedding day approached—only five days away—the pressure mounted. The groom’s family continued to insist on their demand for furniture. Rani’s parents were overwhelmed, and Javed himself grew restless. Nights became sleepless, days filled with worry.

One morning, as Javed sat in his office lost in thought, the peon entered carrying a letter addressed to him. Javed tore the envelope open—and gasped. Inside was the very same check he had lost!

Along with it lay a small folded note.

With a pounding heart, Javed unfolded the paper and read:


---

The Letter from a Thief

*Respected Javed Anwar Sahib,
Assalam-o-Alaikum,

I am your culprit. I was the one who stole your wallet. Yes, I made a mistake, but I was desperate. I needed money urgently.

You see, my sister Rani’s wedding was fixed in a good family. But the demands from the groom’s side were beyond what we could manage. Out of helplessness, I committed this wrong. I beg for your forgiveness.

As for the large check in your wallet—it was of no use to me, since it was crossed and payable only to you. That is why I am returning it. I hope you can forgive a brother who only acted out of love for his sister.

A helpless brother.*


---

A Lesson Learned

Javed sat motionless, the letter trembling in his hands. His mind replayed every detail. He had secured that check precisely for Rani’s wedding. If only her brother had trusted God and shown patience, the same money would have been delivered to his family through honest means. Instead, he chose the wrong path, causing harm to himself and unnecessary distress to others.

Javed sighed deeply.

The irony was bitter. The thief’s desperation and impatience had blinded him to the truth—that help was already on the way.

Yet, Javed couldn’t bring himself to feel anger. Instead, he felt pity. After all, wasn’t this what their organization stood for? To support those who thought they had no other way?

Folding the check carefully, he whispered to himself:
“Sometimes, the real theft is not of money—but of trust and hope.”