Little Thieves

In Mr. Japik's orchard there were many apple and pear trees. Each year they were loaded with fruit since he took good care of his fruit trees. However, every year he had a problem with boys who damaged his trees, who had their eyes on the beautiful fruit. They did not consider it to be stealing, but it was stealing none the less.

Mr. Japik wondered how he could solve this problem. So he purchased a large dog to guard his property. “Now,” thought Mr. Japik, “my problem is solved. Those boys will no longer steal my fruit.”

The boys knew better than to steal, but they thought it a joke to take the fruit. They would do so when Mr. Japik was not looking, and they felt a certain satisfaction when they managed to steal without being caught. They did not like it at all when they saw Mr. Japik's big dog. Why couldn't they take a few apples or pears when there were so many on those trees?

As they passed by the orchard day by day, however, they noticed that the dog was not as fierce as he looked. Bas, which was the dog's name, barked loudly and growled ferociously when he saw the boys, but they also noticed that his stubby tail was wagging all the time. Once they noticed this, they realized that he was their friend. Mr. Japik also noticed that his dog was not a good watchdog at all.

One day he came into his orchard and saw the boys in the trees, busily filling their pockets with apples, and the dog standing by, wagging his tail. For a moment he became quite angry, but then he thought of a plan and walked to where the boys were busy. The dog barked loudly when he saw his owner approaching. All three boys were in the tree and had not seen him coming.

“Here comes Mr. Japik,” shouted Tom, as he dropped to the ground. But it was too late to run away. The other two, Dick and John, also came down and stood together. Tom said, “You caught us, Mr. Japik. We didn't know you were home.” Together they were wondering what their punishment would be.

Mr. Japik looked at them sternly, but then he thought about when he was the age of these boys. He shook his head, and then said, “No, I am not going to punish you, but I have a question for you. Why do you steal something that you could receive as a gift?”

The boys looked at each other, but for a moment they did not know what to say. Finally one said, “A gift?”

“That is what I said, boys,” said Mr. Japik.

They were uncomfortable with such a question, but the farmer asked the question again, “Why do you steal something that you could have as a gift?”

One of the boys asked, “Do you mean it? Why don't you then give the fruit to us?”

Mr. Japik's answer was, “Did you ever ask for some? It should not be so difficult to ask for some apples. No boy has ever asked me for any, but now you boys are stealing them.”

The boys did not know what to say. They had been caught stealing, and now they heard that they did not have to steal but only to ask. Mr. Japik then said, “Boys, I have a plan. When the apples are ready for picking, you may come and help me pick them, and I will give you a nice basket full of them. That's better than stealing. But now empty your pockets and put the apples here on the ground, for stealing is wrong.”

What a relief for the boys, for they saw that what they had done was wrong, but they were not to be punished. Tom spoke for all of them, “Mr. Japik, we promise that we will not steal your fruit anymore but will ask you for some.” “Good,” said Mr. Japik, as he picked up the apples they had put down, “I will let you know when we should start picking.”

Some days later the farmer let them know that if they would come on Saturday, they would pick together, as he had promised. That Saturday they came, and after a few hours of work, Mr. Japik set aside a large basket of apples, saying, “These are for you, boys, something which you have earned honestly. Take them with you.”

The boys hesitated, looking quite ashamed. Tom again spoke up, “No, Mr. Japik, we owe you more than you owe us, for we have stolen more often and have taken more than you are giving us.”

“Boys, Bas showed me that we gain more by being friendly than by being angry and hateful. Take these with you, and you may add a few more if you would like.”

To Mr. Japik's delight, the boys said to each other, “Come, we will take these apples and distribute them to some poor people. We have also learned a lesson.”

As the boys left, the farmer said to his dog,“Come, Bas, we are going home.”

All had learned a lesson that day, but may this simple story serve as a lesson for us, too.

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