The Converted Convict

A certain man had been sentenced to prison. He vowed that he would get even with the attorney who prosecuted him. One day, news came to the family of the attorney that the man had escaped.

One evening, the mother and wife of the attorney were alone at home when it came time for evening worship. They sat at the kitchen table and read passages from the Bible. Then they prayed for the attorney’s safety and for the man who had escaped.

They made sure that the doors and windows were all secure and went to sleep. Later on that night the attorney got home, checked all the doors, and went to bed. Next morning, when the ladies went to make breakfast, they found the Bible they had left on the table missing and a dagger left in its place.

They were sure that before they went to bed all the doors and windows were secured. Where did the Bible go, and where did the dagger come from? Later on, war broke out in that country, and the attorney was called into its armed forces. In one of the battles, there were many left dead.

The attorney, now turned captain, was seriously wounded and left for dead. The day after the battle, a fisherman happened to go to the battlefield strewn with the dead when he heard the sound of someone moaning.

It was the captain. Feeling compassion for the wounded man, the fisherman dressed the wounds and carried him home. Several days passed, and the captain finally regained consciousness.

The fisherman sent a message to the wife to come and fetch her husband. Upon the day of departure after the wife had arrived to take him home, the captain offered to pay the fisherman.

“No,” the fisherman said, “you have already paid me more than you know.” “I have not given you a cent,” replied the captain. “You don’t recognize me?” asked the fisherman. “No,” responded the captain.”

“I am the man who swore I would kill you. One night I slipped into your home. While I was hiding, I heard your wife and mother read from a strange book, and then they prayed for me.

I was captivated by what I heard. I had to have that book. So, when the ladies went to bed, I took the Bible and left the knife as payment for it.

I read it, and it changed my entire life. You have paid me far more than I could ever repay you.”