24/11/2025
ACCOUNTABILITY
A Shopkeeper had just opened his store when a woman arrived and said, âSir, here is your ¢100.â
The Shopkeeper looked at the poor Woman with questioning eyes, as if asking, âWhen did I give you ¢100?â
The Woman replied, âYesterday evening I bought some items. I gave you ¢1000, bought goods worth ¢700, and you returned ¢400 instead of ¢300.â
The Shopkeeper touched the 100 cedis to his forehead, placed it in the cash box, and asked, âTell me one thing, sister. You bargained so much while buying the items, even for ¢50. And now youâve come all the way to return ¢100?"
The woman replied, âBargaining is my right. But once the price is settled, paying less is a sin.â
The Shopkeeper said, âBut you didnât pay less. You paid the full amount. This ¢100 came to you by my mistake. If you had kept it, it wouldnât have made any difference to me.â
The Woman said, âIt may not matter to you, but it would weigh on my conscience. I would know I kept your money knowingly. Thatâs why I came last night to return it, but your shop was closed.â
The Shopkeeper asked in surprise, âWhere do you live?â She replied, âTeshieâ
The Shopkeeperâs mouth dropped open. âYou came 3 kilometers just to return ¢100, and this is your second visit?â
The Woman calmly said, âYes, itâs my second visit. If you want peace of mind, you have to do such things. My husband is no longer in this world, but he taught me one thing: âNever take even a single pesewa that belongs to someone else.â
Because a person may stay silent, but the One above can ask for an account anytime. And the punishment for that account might fall on my children.â
Saying this, the woman left.
The Shopkeeper immediately took out ¢300 from the cash box, got on his bike, and told his assistant, âTake care of the shop. Iâll be back soon.â
He went to another shop in the market and handed ¢300 to the shopkeeper named Prince âHere, take your ¢300. Yesterday, when you came to buy goods, I overcharged you.â
Prince laughed and said, âIf yo