{"seoTitle":"Lunch Lesson — A Short Story About Human Nature","seoDescription":"A grandmother reveals a mischievous truth over a fancy lunch in this witty parable about the small larcenies we all carry and the wisdom to laugh at them.","keywords":"short story about human nature, grandmother story, witty parable, moral story, funny short fiction","content":{"p1":"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.","p2":"\"Would you like something to drink? Any appetizers? How about some coffee?\"","p3":"The grandmother was so gracious, she said yes to everything.","p4":"Drinks, yes. Appetizers, yes. Coffee, yes.","p5":"It was a feast to be remembered.","p6":"The waiter delivered the bill with both hands.","p7":"\"Let me take care of this,\" said the son.","p8":"\"Absolutely not,\" replied the grandmother. \"This was fun, and it is on me.\"","p9":"\"But I can't see the bill.\"","p10":"The son held up a light so the grandmother could read the figures.","p11":"\"Oh my,\" gasped the son when seeing the cost. \"Why don't you leave ten dollars as a tip? It is more than enough.\"","p12":"\"What? No. I'm going to leave fifteen.\"","p13":"The son shook his head at the generosity of the grandmother.","p14":"As the innocent-appearing pair walked out, the waiter snatched up the bill, looked at the tip, and smiled.","p15":"The grandmother whispered to her son, \"There's a little larceny in everyone.\"","p16":"The son looked confused.","p17":"The grandmother held up an inexpensive but attractive plastic ballpoint pen with white stripes.","p18":"\"The waiter's pen,\" smiled the grandmother with a mischievous grin."}}