Lunch Lesson

A Little Larceny

The grandmother and son were enjoying a nice lunch at one of the fancier restaurants in town. The waiter seemed anxious to upsell these two innocent-appearing patrons.

"Would you like something to drink? Any appetizers? How about some coffee?"

The grandmother was so gracious, she said yes to everything.

Drinks, yes. Appetizers, yes. Coffee, yes.

It was a feast to be remembered.

The waiter delivered the bill with both hands.

"Let me take care of this," said the son.

"Absolutely not," replied the grandmother. "This was fun, and it is on me."

"But I can't see the bill."

The son held up a light so the grandmother could read the figures.

"Oh my," gasped the son when seeing the cost. "Why don't you leave ten dollars as a tip? It is more than enough."

"What? No. I'm going to leave fifteen."

The son shook his head at the generosity of the grandmother.

As the innocent-appearing pair walked out, the waiter snatched up the bill, looked at the tip, and smiled.

The grandmother whispered to her son, "There's a little larceny in everyone."

The son looked confused.

The grandmother held up an inexpensive but attractive plastic ballpoint pen with white stripes.

"The waiter's pen," smiled the grandmother with a mischievous grin.

A story by Pemba Umoja