down a quiet suburban street on
his way home after his usual, evening teaching session. He
noticed three youths hovering, several yards away on the
opposite side of the street. When they approached him he
was ready. 'Give us your money, or you'll get hurt,' said the
leader of the three. Master Abbe looked at each one in turn,
then casually took his wallet out of his jacket pocket,
throwing it on the floor between himself and his antagonists.
He pointed to the wallet and said, 'I'm prepared to die for
that wallet. What about you?' The three would-be attackers
looked at the wallet on the floor, then at Abbe, then at each
other. Without further ado they all ran away, obviously not
prepared to die for the wallet. Master Abbe picked up his
wallet and calmly walked home.