Stolen Gift

I recently read the news of a kindergarten boy in northern China who stole his mother's US1,500 gold bangle to give to a girl in his class and apparently his action drew amusement from his mother and the social media. When asked why he stole the bangle, he said he wanted to give the girl "the best".   When his class teacher caught him with the jewelry, she warned his mother that this may happen again and to keep her valuables safe!  If this were to happen in my Grandpa's house, not only would the thief be punished but also his mother and the entire household!  Although we often cringed with fear each time Grandpa got angry, our strict upbringing has benefitted us in many ways.   As I see it, letting the boy go without punishment would only encourage him to continue to steal, who knows from whom next!