Good for Evil

One night Bayazid Bustami, the great saint, was returning home very late. On the way he met a man. The man was a drunkard. he carried a musical instrument. He was shouting and using bad words. Bayazid told him to stop. The man became very angry. He hit Bayazid on the head with his music instrument. Bayazid Bustami was wounded and blood came out of the wound. The instrument also broken to pieces. Bayazid understood that it was unless to talk to the man. He went home.

The following morning Bayazid put some sweetmeats and some money in a basket. He also wrote a note to the drunkard. It said, “Last night my head broken your musical instrument. Here is some money. You can buy another. Last night I listened to your bad language. Your tongue is not sweet. Eat these sweetmeats, they will make your tongue sweet”

Bayazid Bustami sent his servant with the basket and the note to the drunkard. When the drunkard received the note he remember everything. He was very sorry. He at once came to Bayazid Bustami and begged his forgiveness. He also promised never to touch wine again.