In ancient times, merchants traveled around Siberia. And there was one among them who, when a person had nothing to pay, he gave a loan. He said: “Look, I’m writing your name in the book. Next time I will come and collect your debt.”
If on his next visit the debtor also had nothing to pay, the merchant said this: “Okay, now I won’t take anything from you, but look, I’m putting a cross next to your name in the book, so I haven’t forgotten anything and next time I’ll definitely collect the debt from you.” Likewise, the next time, if the debtor did not have money, the merchant put another cross.
And for the third time he said this: “That’s it, I forgive you your debt. You see, I cross out your name, I cross out the crosses. May God punish you."
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru