"Thou shalt not steal"

Jamie slipped the pack of gum in his pocket feeling confident that he wouldn't get caught.  He knew his mom wouldn't let him buy it, they didn't have the money.  With Mom trying to unload the grocery cart, the baby crying in the carrier and all the people hurrying and scurrying around, Jamie was sure no one had seen him take the gum.

But when he looked up, there she was, a little old lady was just staring at him.  She didn't look mad, she looked sad.  Jamie quickly turned his head, he was not going to give up the gum.  He just wouldn't look at her, he knew she had seen him steal the gum, but she didn't know him and he didn't know her.  It was only a pack of gum.  Jamie shuffled his feet wishing his mom would hurry up so they could leave the store.  He wasn't feeling so good now and when he looked up, that old lady was still watching him with those sad eyes. 

The little old lady was checking out her two items of bread and milk. The cashier ask if that was all and the little old lady said, "Actually no, I would like to pay for the pack of gum in that young man's pocket."  The cashier smiled and ask me to pull the gum out of my pocket so she could ring it up. Embarrassed and angry, Jamie pulled it out and loudly announced that he had changed my mind! The little old lady asked Jamie if he was sure and Jamie firmly nodded in assurance. 

Jamie learned a valuable lesson with that pack of gum. Someone is always watching, they may or may not call you on it, but they know an you know. Build a positive reputation not one of dishonesty and unworthiness. 

Word of the Week II - reputation

reputation - character
good name
regard
esteem
honor
credit

is a noun meaning the character of a person, place or thing







example: His reputation was ruined when he stole the lawn mower.

She had a reputation for being kind to others.