伊索寓言 21儿子和他的母亲 The Son and his Mother
There once lived a Son and his Mother. The Son did many bad things, but the Mother never punished him. Today is the Son’s first day at school.
Son: I’m home, Mom.
Mother: How was school, my son?
Son: It was okay.
Mother: Did you make any friends?
Son: No.
Mother: Then what did you do at school?
Son: Nothing much. Can I go to my room now?
Mother: Wait a minute. What are you hiding behind your back?
Son: It’s nothing.
Mother: What is it? Just show it to me. I won’t punish you.
Son: You promise?
Mother: Yes, I promise.
Son: Then here. It’s a toy car.
Mother: Where did you get it?
Son: Well, um…
Mother: It’s all right. Just tell me. I won’t punish you.
Son: A friend gave it to me.
Mother: A friend? You said you don’t have any friends.
Son: Well, um…
Mother: It’s all right. Just tell me the truth. I won’t punish you.
Son: You really won’t punish me?
Mother: Of course not.
Son: Well, to tell the truth, I stole it.
Mother: Oh really? That’s all right. Go ahead and play with it.
Son: Thanks, Mom. You’re the best.
A few days later, the Son brought home a story book.
Son: I’m home, Mom.
Mother: Did you have a good day, my son?
Son: Yes. Look what I have.
Mother: What is it?
Son: It’s a story book.
Mother: Where did you get it?
Son: Promise not to punish me.
Mother: Just tell me. I won’t punish you.
Son: Well, I stole it. It’s new, too.
Mother: Let me see. It really is new. It’s all right. Go ahead and read it.
Son: Thanks, Mom. You’re the best.
The Son kept stealing things, but the Mother never punished him. He is now in high school, but his bad habit was still the same.
Son: I’m home, Mom. Look what I stole today.
Mother: What did you steal this time, my son?
Son: I stole this jacket. Isn’t it nice?
Mother: Yes, it is. Go ahead and wear it.
Son: Thanks, Mom. You’re the best. What should I steal next time?
Mother: I don’t care. Whatever you wish, my son.
Time passed and the Son is now a grown man. He continued to steal things from other people and became a real thief.
Son: What should I go to steal today? I know! I’ll go to the bank. There must be lots of money there.
The Son breaks into the bank during the night.
Son: Wow! Look at all of this money! I’m rich now.
Just then a siren rings and all of the lights in the bank turn on. It is bright as day. The Son tries to run away.
Police: Stop there, you thief! You can’t get away. The police are everywhere. You are trapped. Ha, ha, ha. I got you.
Son: Let me go! Just this once, please! I won’t do it again.
Police: Not a chance! I can’t let you go. You must be punished. Let’s go to the police station. The guard takes him to the police station. The Son is locked up. His mother comes to visit him.
Mother: Are you okay, my son?
Son: No! I am not okay！ I am in jail!
Mother: Why did you do this?
Son: Come here closer, Mom. I’ll tell you.
The Mother goes closer to her Son. Just then the Son bites her right ear.
Mother: Ouch! That hurt. Why did you do that? You are a bad boy. You should be punished.
Son: Why didn’t you punish me before? Because of you, I became a thief.
Mother: What do you mean, my son? I didn’t do anything.
Son: That’s just it. You didn’t do anything. You never punished me. And now I’m in jail. Why didn’t you punish me when I first stole the toy car?
Mother: Because I loved you. I’m sorry, my son.
Son: It’s no use now.
MORAL
Spare the rod and spoil the child.
