The Young Thief and His Mother

A young Man had been caught in a daring act of theft and had
been condemned¹ 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 brutal² 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 rebuking³ 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."