This was the frightening threat heard by the London businessman who had
just emerged from an important deal that brought him 100,000 pounds
sterling in cash. He realized that the three thugs standing before him
had trailed him and were out to get his money.
A flash of inspiration moved him to thus address the young leader of
the gang:
“You look to me like a decent person and an intelligent one. Why do you
want my money?”
Totally taken aback by this question the gangster stammered that he
needed the money for alcohol and drugs.
“How much do you need for that?” he was asked.
“Five pounds,” was the reply.
So the businessman took out a ten-pound note and handed it to him and
his would-be assailants left.
The next morning the much-relieved businessman was coming out of his
synagogue and was met by the gang leader who handed him a five-pound
note as change for the ten he had received.
“I am 27 years old,” he explained, “and no one has ever complimented me
as being decent or intelligent. I was so moved by what you said that I
even refused to keep the extra money you gave me.”