"Karma is the universe's way of balancing things out."
Buddhist stories with morals : the thrown stone
Once a nobleman was driving his caravan cart along a narrow, muddy road to his village estate. Along the way, he came across a bullock cart that got stuck in the mud and blocked the road. The farmer driving his animals tried in vain to pull his cart out of the mud.
- Get out of my way!" cried the proud nobleman. You'll have to wait until I can get help and tow it out. Since he had to get out, the nobleman, in his fury, picked up a large stone and threw it at the owner of the ox-cart.
But instead of hitting the cart, the stone struck the pole of his own cart and bounced back, leaving a wound on his own fine white forehead.
The pain angered the nobleman and he went to the king to complain. He accused the owner of the ox-cart. He demanded that he be severely punished immediately, since he had caused the situation by forcing him into the mud there.
But the king, being a patient bodhisattva, recognized the truth of karma and did not punish the peasant.
He said: It was the one who decided to throw the stone that caused the wound.
There is always a choice, whether you know the reason or not - your choice now was your forehead's regret.
(based on an Indian story)
More buddhist stories with morals?
