(Minghui.org) I started practicing Falun Gong in 2006. I practice the exercises and read the Dafa books every day. After I took up the practice, I began to look inward and follow the principles of the Fa.

Before I began practicing Dafa, I stole money from a shop owner whom I worked for. I was hired to sell clothes, and when I saw that other employees stole money from the till, I took a little too. When I realized that what I had done was so wrong, I felt bad and wished to return the money.

The shop owner's business had expanded and he was busy managing his shops in several large malls. I went to a mall where one of his shops was located several times but I couldn't find him.

I talked to his sister, who told me that he didn't go to that mall. I told her about Falun Gong and why the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is persecuting practitioners. I advised her to quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations. However, I was embarrassed, and stopped short of telling her why I was looking for her brother.

A few years passed, and I met the sister at the mall again. This time, I was determined to tell her about my wish to return the money. I told her that I was wrong to take the money from the shop and that the Master of Falun Gong teaches us to be good people by following the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I explained how I had benefited from practicing Falun Gong and did my best to follow Master's teachings. Even though the amount of money that I took was small, I was still wrong to take it. I sincerely apologized to her and asked her to give the money to her brother.

The sister was moved to tears and said that she could not accept my money. I said that I never would have returned the money if I did not practice Falun Gong.

She phoned her brother and explained the situation. The shop owner was happy to hear this and suggested that I donate the money to a good cause. I donated it to a site that produces materials to raise awareness about the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong.

I met the shop owner last year, and was able to apologize to him in person. I said, “You trusted me to take care of your shop. I was wrong to take your money. I practice Falun Gong now. My Master teaches us to be good people and to think of others first. I am so sorry. Please forgive me.”

He smiled and said, “It's all right. It happened a long time ago. I'm happy that you've become a good person now.”