A miserly passenger in a taxi that was swerving dangerously between cars refused to let the driver call for help because he did not want to pay for the phone call or let the fare meter continue running. Even in a dangerous situation, the passenger's greed and focus on money prevented reasonable thinking. A lazy man prayed to God for years to win the lottery but never bought a ticket. When he did not win, he angrily accused God of being unreasonable, not realizing his own foolishness in not taking actual action like purchasing a lottery ticket. Both stories illustrate how strong attachment to money or superstitions can cloud judgment and lead people to say or do foolish things without consideration of reality or others' safety.

1. Wisdom
From A
Laugh 21
Taxi Meter
A taxi cab was crazily weaving in and out of the
traffic.
“Just what are you trying to do?” the grumpy
miserly passenger shouted at the taxi driver.
“I can’t control the car,” the driver said. “Can you
use your mobile phone to ask for help?”
“You have to pay the charge,” the miser replied.
“And for Heaven’s sake, switch off
the fare meter.”
Reflection
Even in dangerous situations, all that a
miserly man can think of is his money more
than anything else.
When greed, attachment and craving are
strong in a person, his mind becomes so
'clouded' and deluded that he can say or
do really foolish things for which he has to
suffer.

2. Lottery Ticket
A lazy superstitious man went out to his
garden yard to pray and ask a favor from
God.
“Oh Heaven God,” he prayed. “I have
prayed to you for many years faithfully. I
have also offered all kinds of food for you.
Oh God! Please let me strike the lottery.”
The lazy man waited for a few weeks.
Nothing happened. He became
disappointed and angry. Out into the
garden he went again. He knelt down and
shouted,
“Oh Heaven God, don’t You think You are
being unreasonable. All I ask for is a strike
at the lottery.”
Suddenly he heard a voice thundering from
the sky: “Who’s being unreasonable? You
didn’t buy any lottery!”
Reflection
A superstitious and deluded person lacks
clear and reasonable thinking. He can do
the most foolish things.