The Young Thief and His Mother
Denny 20 Jun 2008 | : Parenting Tips
This story is over 2,000 years old. It is one of Aesop’s Fables. It talks about the importance of parents setting and enforcing rules to educate their child.
A young man had been caught in a daring act of theft and had been condemned to be executed for it. He expressed his desire to see his Mother, and to speak to her before he was led to execution. This final request was granted. When his Mother came to him he said,
“I want to whisper to you,” and when she brought her ear near him, he nearly bit it off.
All the bystanders were horrified, and asked him what he could mean by such brutal and inhuman conduct.
“It is to punish her!” he said. “When I was young I began with stealing little things, and brought them home to Mother. Instead of rebuking and punishing me, she laughed and said ‘It will not be noticed.’ It is because of her that I am her today.”
“He is right, woman.” said the crowd.
Moral: Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart there from.
