There was once a little boy named Simon, who had a strong inclination to take things that were not his own. Whenever he found anything lying on the ground, instead of looking for the owner, he would keep it for himself.

One day, as he was passing near the entrance to a blacksmith’s forge, he saw a little iron chain lying on the ground. No one was near, and the boy, as usual, went to pick it up and take it. So he bent down and picked up the chain quickly.

But as soon as he grabbed the chain, he screamed loudly. This noise brought the blacksmith to the spot. The chain had just been taken out of the furnace. It was very hot, and the blacksmith had set it down to cool, the moment before the boy reached the place. As soon as Simon had taken the hot chain in his hand, it burned his fingers. This burning pain is what caused his scream.

Thus Simon was caught in the act of his stealing. The whole event was a lesson for him, and the marks of the burning remained on his fingers for a long time. These marks reminded him that those who steal will one day be discovered, and be punished – if not in this world, certainly in the next.