One evening as a Master Mason was at prayer, a thief with a sharp sword entered, demanding his money or his life.
The master told him: "Do not disturb me. You can find the money in that bag." Then he resumed his prayers.
A little while afterwards he stopped and called: "Don't take it all. I need some to pay taxes with tomorrow."
The intruder gathered up most of the money and started to leave. "You should thank a person when you receive a gift," the master added. The man thanked him and made off.
A few days afterwards the fellow was caught and confessed to his crimes, including the theft from the Master Mason. When the master was called as a witness he said: "This man is no thief, at least as far as I am concerned. I gave him the money and he thanked me for it."
After he had finished his prison term, the man went to the master and became his apprentice.