(Minghui.org) “Auntie, you saved my family and my grandmother. You are extraordinary! You truly are wonderful! Thank you! Thank you!”
That was what the hit-and-run driver said to me the first time he saw me.
It was in July 1999, a year after I had started practicing Falun Gong. I was riding my bicycle when a jeep hit me head on at high speed.
I flew over 30 feet, my bag flew off, and my bike was a tangled mess. When I came to, I was surrounded by a large crowd.
I moved my arms and legs. No problem there. My skin was not even scratched. I had a bump on one arm the size of an egg.
The jeep was gone, a hit-and-run.
Bystanders insisted that I go to the hospital. I said I was fine and thanked them for their concern. I went to pick up my bike. One bystander came over and told me not to touch the crime scene. Someone had written the license number of the jeep on a nearby wall.
A policeman arrived and learned what had happened from eyewitnesses. He asked me to go to the hospital with him.
“No, I am not hurt. I'm not going.”
“You aren't young. Just get checked out. If you have a pre-existing condition, you can blame it on the hit-and-run driver,” he said.
“Thank you for your kindness, but I cannot do that. I used to have cancer. After I practiced Falun Gong, I recovered from all of my ailments. My master protected me today, otherwise I would have died. I need to abide by my principles even more.”
I began to walk home. The policeman caught up with me and asked where I was going.
“Home.”
He accompanied me to my home, where he saw my daughter. “Your mother was hit pretty hard by a car. Take good care of her.”
When he left, my daughter asked me if that really happened.
“Yes, and Master protected me!” I said.
Two days later, I was told to go to the police station. I said that I did not want to go.
“You have to come. If you don't, I will be blamed,” the caller said. I went.
The police found the hit-and-run driver. His license was suspended and he was fined 30,000 yuan. They set aside 5,000 yuan for me and asked me to sign the paper and take the money.
“Oh, no! I cannot take the money. I became illness-free because I practice Falun Gong. My master protected and saved me during the accident. How can I take the money?” I said.
The director became impatient. “What's wrong with you? Others complain about not getting enough money as compensation, and you—you kept refusing the money. We have to persuade you over and over.”
I thanked them for their kindness. “I know you want to help me and I appreciate your kind hearts. If you suspend the man's license, how will he make a living?”
Now all of them were amazed. “You are still looking out for the hit-and-run driver? You are not angry with him?”
Several days later, I was again called to go to the police station. “Please come. I do not want to be blamed for you not being there.”
It was the driver, a fellow in his 30s. When he saw me, he came over and knelt before me. “Auntie, you are extraordinary! You truly are outstanding! Thank you! Thank you! You saved my family and my grandmother...”
Before he could finish, I pulled him up and shook his hand. “How did I save your grandmother?”
“My grandmother is 84 years old. I am her only grandson. She was very upset to learn that I had hit someone and that, being so terrified, I had fled the scene. She stopped eating and drinking and we could not wake her up. My whole family came together to care for her. I told my grandmother that you not only declined any compensation, but also spoke on my behalf. You have the heart of a living Buddha. My grandmother awakened with a relieved sigh. Thank you. Thank you.”
“If you really want to thank someone,” I said, “you should thank my Master. He taught me the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”
The man responded with gratitude. “And you became healthy after practicing Falun Gong? I have to tell my father who had a stroke. I will ask him to practice, too!”