The Young Thief and His Mother

: Aesop's Fables

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 with her before he was led to

execution, and of course this 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

here to-day."



"He is right, woman," said the Priest; "the Lord hath said:



"Train up a child in the way he should go; and

when he is old he will not depart therefrom."