The Penitent Thief

A boy who had been taught by his mother to steal grew to be a man and became a professional public official. One day, he was caught in the act of theft and condemned to die.

As he was being taken to the place of execution, he passed by his mother and said to her, "Behold your work! If you had not taught me to steal, I would not have ended up in this situation."

The mother replied, "Indeed! And who, pray, taught you to be detected?"