The Thief and His Mother

A boy stole a lesson book from one of his classmates and took it home to his mother. Rather than punishing him, she not only abstained from beating him but also encouraged his behavior. The next time, he stole a cloak and brought it to her, and once again, she commended him for his actions.

As the boy grew into adulthood, he began to steal items of even greater value. Eventually, he was caught in the act. With his hands bound behind him, he was led away to the place of public execution. His mother, following the crowd, beat her breast in sorrow.

In that moment, the young man said, "I wish to say something to my mother in her ear." She leaned in close, and in a shocking turn of events, he quickly seized her ear with his teeth and bit it off. The mother, horrified, upbraided him as an unnatural child.

In response, he said, "Ah! If you had beaten me when I first stole that lesson book and brought it to you, I would not have come to this, nor would I be led to a disgraceful death."