The righteous girl

Once there was a very good girl who looked at the world and saw much bad. Because she was such a good girl, this state of things caused her much distress. "There are bad people who do bad things. If these bad people disappeared, what a better world it would be."

She went walking in her village and saw a man kicking a dog. The girl was horrified. "Why do you kick that helpless animal?" she asked.

"Many people in this village kick dogs," he said. "My father kicked dogs. In fact, my father often kicked me. Still, the world goes on."

"You are a bad man," she said. "If you disappeared, what a better world it would be." She kept walking and didn't notice the soft wind that suddenly blew behind her. It was the last trace of the man who had disappeared.

Soon she met a thief counting his spoils. The girl was appalled. "Why do you take what's not yours?" she asked.

"Don't we all?" he asked. "I never learned a trade and this happens to be what I do best. I must have butter for my bread after all."

"You are a bad man," she said. "If you disappeared, what a better world it would be." She kept walking and didn't notice the soft wind that suddenly blew behind her. It was the last trace of the man who had disappeared.

As the sun was going down, she came upon the shed of a charlatan who sold oils and potions to cure every disease and even bring wealth. The girl was dismayed. "Why do you lie to people?" she asked.

"People want to believe," he said. "I sell them hope. Besides, if there were no sickness and poverty, I wouldn't be in business."

"You are a bad man," she said. "If you disappeared, what a better world it would be." She kept walking and didn't notice the soft wind that suddenly blew behind her. It was the last trace of the man who had disappeared.

It was now quite dark and the girl continued along. On the road, she saw another traveler coming towards her. Only when he was very close did she see that he was an old man with long, gray hair.

"You!" he said, pointing at her. "I know all about you. You go about casting judgment on your fellow man. You are a bad girl. If you disappeared, what a better world it would be."

"Noooo...." she said but it was too late. She was already gone on a soft wind. And with her went all the good that was in her.