David wept as his father and Uncle Simon hurled harsh words at Uncle Martin, who stood outside their house looking despondent. Six months ago, Uncle Martin was arrested for stealing 20,000 rupees from the cash box at the restaurant where he worked. Today was the day he was released from prison.
“You have brought disgrace to our family. Just go away,” shouted James, David’s father.
Uncle Martin pleaded with folded hands. “Please forgive me. I will never steal again,” said Uncle Martin to his two elder brothers.
“Once a thief, always a thief,” said Uncle Simon as he slammed the door and locked it.
A year on
It was the week before Easter.
“I heard there’s a new bakery called Wonder Bakery where they make delectable Easter eggs,” said David’s mother.
“David and I will go and place our order for Easter eggs,” said David’s father.
As David and his father entered the bakery, they were surprised to see the cashier in the bakery. It was none other than Uncle Martin. David’s father got out of the bakery and called his elder brother Simon on his phone.
“Come quickly to Wonder Bakery! We must tell Martin’s new employer about his past crime and get him dismissed from this job.”
“Dad, please don’t let Uncle Martin lose his job,” begged David.
Someone placed a hand on David’s father’s shoulder. He turned and saw it was Mr. Chandran, who was Uncle Martin’s old employer. Uncle Simon also arrived.
“Chandran sir, Martin is working in this bakery. Please come with us. We must warn his new employer,” said David’s father.
“I am the owner of Wonder Bakery and I hired Martin,” said Mr. Chandran.
“Please sir! Please don’t dismiss Uncle Martin,” pleaded David in tears.
“Don’t cry my boy. Your Uncle Martin is my best employee. I will not dismiss him,” said Mr. Chandran.
“But..but…he stole from you. How can you hire him again? He will steal again...” said Uncle Simon.
Mr. Chandran took them to his office room.
“After Martin was released, he came to my restaurant asking for forgiveness. I could see that he repented for what he had done. But, I was hesitant to give him back his old job as a cashier. So I gave him a job to wash dishes. Martin worked well. He tried his hand in baking and his baked items sold well at my restaurant. It was because of his baking talent I started Wonder Bakery and it is doing well all because of Martin. I have not lost a single rupee after I made him the cashier.”
“How can you trust and forgive him for what he did to you?” asked David’s father.
“I forgave him and trusted him because I believed my forgiveness would help him walk the path of honesty. Next Sunday is Easter. As you know, Easter is a day that offers you a new life — one of hope and promise. Look at Martin. He’s a changed man now,” said Mr. Chandran.
David’s father and Uncle Simon hung their heads in shame.
“Please don’t have any bitterness against Uncle Martin. If you cannot forgive him, then we don’t deserve to celebrate the festival of Easter,” said David to his father and Uncle. “The thief who was crucified near Christ was received into the kingdom of heaven because of his repentant heart.”
Tears ran down David’s cheeks. But this time it was tears of joy as David watched his father and Uncle Simon warmly embrace Uncle Martin.
It was going to be a special Easter day. David couldn’t wait to ask his Uncle Martin to teach him how to make Easter eggs.
