Version 1
Liaqat Ali noticed his neighbour walking down the street towards him. He looked upset; even a little angry. And he was getting closer, coming though the crowd.
Now, Liaqat wasn’t a friend of this man, but he was a neighbour, so he said, “Greetings, neighbour. Stop and have a coffee with me.”
They stepped into a cafe. It was busy and noisy. Liaqat signalled to the tall waiter and they sat down.
His neighbour said, “I’ve just been talking to my bank manager. I told him, ‘I’ve got an absolutely brilliant business idea. Lend me $50,000 and by this time next year it will have become $100,000!’ “
The tall waiter came and put two cups of coffee down on the table.
Liaqat said, “Did he lend you the $50,000?”
His neighbour shook his head and a flush of anger went across his face. “No. He wouldn’t.”
“Is there another bank you can go to?”
“No. That was my last chance. I’ve asked my brother, my friends, all the other banks…”
Liaqat could see his neighbour was upset.
“It’s SO frustrating. I’m just one loan away from making a fortune, but no-one will believe in me!”
They talked for a while and when they were ready to leave Liaqat paid for the coffee, left a tip for the tall waiter and said goodbye.
He crossed the street and turned into a narrow lane. He’d never noticed this way before. The buildings on each side were high and close and the little walkway was dark. He hesitated, but just then someone suddenly stepped out in front of him and said, “Stop!”
It was the tall waiter. But he was … taller. Very tall. And his hair was jet black. His face was white and smooth and shiny, like the side of a coffee cup. His eyes were yellow!
Liaqat felt fear grab his legs. He couldn’t move. And the … the waiter stepped towards him. He said, “I have something for you, my friend.”
He held up a small bundle, wrapped in green cloth. Liaqat was gasping for breath.
The waiter leaned forward and said, “This is money. $50,000. I can give it to you, but there is a condition. If you take it, and spend even one penny on yourself, it will all vanish. Poof! But if you take it and give it away, then one year from today God will give you a blessing.
“Will you take it?”
After the story
Did you like that? Was it interesting? Was there something particular that was interesting? Do you know of situations like that? Did you notice some things in the story that are true about people? Some stories will show us something about who God is or how He interacts with us; did you see anything in this story like that?
The Scriptures
“Do nothing out of selfishness or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.” Philippians 2.3,4
Version 2
Liaqat Ali could see his friend was worried about something. It was a warm sunny day, the cafe was bursting with people, there was music, a waiter was moving carefully through the crowd bringing two cups of coffee over to their table, it was noisy…but Liaqat’s friend was not happy.
He said, Liaqat, “Yesterday I went to see my bank manager. I asked him to lend me $10,000 for my business. Just a normal business loan. $10,000 for my business. He said, ‘OK. I’ll consider that and get back to you you.’
“Well, today he got back. He sent me an email and said, ‘Sorry, we can’t lend you the money. No loan.’
The waiter arrived at their table and put down the two cups of coffee.
Liaqat said, “Really? Is there someone else you can borrow from?”
He said, “No. I’ve asked everywhere. Every bank, every lending institution. My bank was my last hope.” His friend picked up his coffee.”I’m going to have to close the business, Liaqat. Wind it up. Shut down. Go and work for wages for someone else.”
“What!” Liaqat sat up straight.
He said, “I’d lend you money myself! But $10,000 is …”
His friend shrugged. They talked for a while then said goodbye. Liaqat paid for the coffees and left a tip for the waiter.
He crossed the street and turned into a small, narrow, dark lane. Someone stepped out of the shadows and blocked his path. They said, “Stop!”
Liaqat stopped. It was the waiter … but he had changed! His face was white and smooth and shiny like a china coffee cup. His hands were the same; like smooth, white china. His lips were jet black. And his eyes … his eyes were deep, burning yellow.
Liaqat was suddenly very frightened. So this was what the jinn looked like? He tried to turn and leave, but he couldn’t move.
The jinn said, “My friend, I have a gift for you.”
He held up something small, wrapped in a green cloth. He said, “This is money. $10,000. And I will give this to you if you will do just one thing.
He took a step towards Liaqat. “Give it away.
“Give it to a charity. Give it to a friend. But don’t keep any of it for yourself. If you keep even one penny for yourself, all the money you’ve given away will disappear. Poof!”
Now he stepped right up to Liaqat. His yellow eyes stared straight at him. Quietly he said, “Will you take my gift?”