DOUBLE-DEALING GAMBLER
Dishonesty Don’t Win in the Long Trail
Out in a dusty town called Crossroads Junction, folks gathered most Friday nights in the back of the saloon — not for the drinkin’, mind you, but for a game of cards and some good company.
In walks a smooth-talking cowboy name of Slim Pickins. He wore a grin, a sharp vest, and carried a silver-plated deck of cards. Slim had a way of winnin’ more often than not. Some figured he was just lucky. Others weren’t so sure.
Old timers started noticin’ things. A flash of a card on his sleeve. A too well planed distraction. Eyes wandering around where they shouldn’t. But folks were patient. They gave him the benefit of the doubt — at first.
One night, a young cowpoke named Eli, new to the group, played his last coin.
Slim just smiled as he flipped over a royal flush. But just then, a gust of wind blew the lantern light in his direction — and a card flew out of Slim's shirt cuff.
Silence. Then anger. They left him sitting.
No yelling. No gunfight. Just disappointment.
One by one, they stood up - and walked away.
This is the worst punishment a cowboy could face - being shunned.
NO FRIENDS!
From then on, Slim wasn’t invited to the table, or the cattle drives or town meatings, or even funerals.
He tried makin’ amends, but trust — once broken — is a mighty slow trail to mend.
He had skill. He had talent.
But what he didn’t have was friends.
'HE LOST IT ALL!'
* * * *
THE LESSON
In the life, honesty is the only ACE worth playing.
Cheatin’ folks might win you a hand, but you’ll lose the table — and the hearts around it.
As the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned us all:
“Whoever cheats us - is not one of us.”
— [Sahih Muslim 102]
And the Words of The Almighty in the Quran:
“Woe to those who give less [than due], who, when they take a measure from people, take in full.
But if they give by measure or by weight to them, they cause loss.”
[Surah Al-Mutaffifin ReciteQuran.com/83:1]
Truth is the currency that never loses value.
Deal fair, live right — and let your word be your bond.
