The Gift of Honesty

I was blessed with parents who taught me priceless values like kindness and honesty by example. They weren't perfect, but these were the greatest gifts they could have given me at a very young age.

When I was three, my dad let me go with him to a grocery store. As we wheeled the cart around the produce section, I noticed these beautiful clumps of big green grapes. I loved grapes, so as we passed by, I grabbed one and popped it in my mouth.

My dad noticed, but he didn't say anything right away. I figured we were in too big of a hurry and besides, who would miss one little grape?

When we turned the corner and headed up the aisle, though, my dad motioned towards a clerk who didn't have anyone in her line.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a penny. "Here," he said, pressing it into my palm. "You need to pay for the grape you ate."That simple act on my dad's part turned out to be a defining moment in my life. I wish I could bottle and sell its effect, because words alone can't begin to describe the impact it had on me, even at the age of three.

I was stunned that Daddy had noticed my dirty deed, but more stunned that he expected me, an extremely shy little three-year-old, to march up to the clerk and admit what I had done.

I panicked. My tongue felt too big for my mouth and I could feel my heart thumping against my shirt.

My 6' 3" dad leaned down, looked me in the eye, and in no uncertain terms explained that we pay first and eat later. "Taking a grape without paying for it is stealing," he said.

Me? A thief? No way!

So with my dad at my side, I handed the penny to the clerk and whispered, "I ate a grape."

She didn't frown or scold me. She took my penny, rang up the "purchase," and handed me a receipt, which I proudly carried around in my little white purse nearly forever. "Thanks," she whispered back. "That's very honest of you."

I remember her exchanging a smile with my dad, and that was that.

Here's a poster I created - a definition of true love, which includes a heavy dose of honesty & integrity. Prints available in a variety of sizes, on archival Lustre paper. Click image for full details.

Mousepad with Emily Dickinson quote by seedplanter
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Have you noticed how transparent pets are where feelings are concerned? We don't have to guess whether cats are sincere when they purr. We return home to a tail-wagging dog who loves us unconditionally. Our furry friends aren't sincere one minute and phony the next.

Hmmmm. Imagine what life would be like if people had tails.

YOU CAN TELL WHEN A FISHERMAN IS LYING by cabinfeverdavid
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