Hard Earned Lesson


Back before I could drive, but old enough to go out and earn money, I babysat and did yard work to support my winter skiing habit. My folks didn’t mind paying for educational endeavors, but I was on my own for purchasing my annual ski-lift ticket.

I had saved up enough to not only buy my annual ski pass, but also an attractive new ski parka that would keep me warmer and hopefully cuter on the slopes.


Placing my carefully saved dollars in my pocket-sized wallet, I asked to be driven to the city to make my purchases.


Mom drove me, but mentioned she was going to an art show first. I followed her through the bustling event. There were lots of people milling about. I was anxious to get to the ski shop. I barely looked at the canvasses displaying various paintings. 




Mom stopped at each one. Finally she was done.


We returned to the car. I felt in my pocket and my wallet was gone. My heart started pounding. Mom and I retraced our steps. She asked the event director for help. I gave a description of my wallet and could tell everyone felt bad.


We returned home and my dad shook his head sadly. Mom thought I’d been pick-pocketed. I knew I’d just have to start saving again. There wouldn’t be money for that new fashionable parka, or maybe even the ski season.




A couple weeks later the police called to say my driver’s permit and high school identification card had been found in my torn-up wallet at the county fairgrounds—a place I’d never been.


So someone had taken it and spent my hard-earned cash. I definitely learned to be more careful. I learned that honesty isn’t everywhere. And the toughest lesson—I had to work even harder to replace what I’d lost.


But I never did thank my parents for teaching me the most valuable lesson—because they didn’t offer to buy me what I wanted after my money had been lost, I became a whole lot more responsible.


Through the years, being responsible for my money has kept me from being careless and frivolous. And it all started because I lost what I’d worked so hard to have. 





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