(Minghui.org) I’d like to share a story that happened not long after I took up the practice of Falun Gong in 1996. Back then I felt very comfortable doing Falun Gong exercises, but I didn’t really have much of an understanding of the principles taught by Master Li Hongzhi, founder of Falun Gong.

I live in a mountainous region. There was a wild mulberry tree near my cornfield, and its fruit was sweet and large. When I came to the field, I would enjoy the fruit while I worked.

One day I noticed that all the mulberries had been eaten by crows. I was very upset and told another Falun Gong practitioner that I wanted to use rat poison to get rid of the crows. She reminded me that this was killing, which is prohibited by Falun Gong teachings. I didn’t take her words seriously and just wanted to keep my favorite fruits.

I went up the mountain again and spread the rat poison around the mulberry tree and surrounding area. When I went back a couple of days later, I found some bird droppings and feathers. I was very happy and wondered if any crow had died from eating rat poison.

A few days later, I went back with my son. We were dumbfounded when we got there. My cornfield was completely destroyed! Not a single ear of corn was spared, and the leaves were stripped. I wondered who had done this.

Suddenly a large group of crows hovered over our heads, cawing loudly. Only then did I remember that I am a Falun Gong practitioner and should not kill. I thought, “What have I done! I am a cultivator. How could I have the thought of taking others’ lives?”

I felt terrible and kept apologizing to the crows. “I am sorry, I am so sorry. I made a terrible mistake. I should abide by the principles of Falun Gong and be a good person, be kind and considerate, not be selfish, not taking lives... Forgive me, forgive me.”

The flock of crows flew away. I said to my son, “The corn is ruined. It looks like we have to plant something else.”

My son and I went back to the mountain four days later to prepare the field for beans. Again, we were shocked: the corn plants stood upright, lined up straight. Leaves waved to us as if to say hello. The plants looked healthy and strong and as if nothing had ever happened. Tears ran down my cheeks. All I could say was, “Thank you Master! Thank you Master!”

I had no doubt that Master had saved my corn after I realized my mistake. From that point on, I began to follow the Falun Gong principles in my life and have never looked back.