Tara

14 Discipline

1	A Boy one day did steal some apples from an orchard and took them home to his Mother.
2	Both hungry and with little means, the Mother did not ask how the Boy his good fortune.
3	Instead, she praised him for his providence.
4	Some years later and upon a bitterly cold winter, the Boy now a Youth did steal a fine cloak.
5	And did bring it to his Mother.
6	Again, she failed to ask how her son did obtain such a valuable garment,
7	Instead commending him for his resourcefulness.
8	Some years passed again and upon a time of great hardship,
9	The Youth now a Man was caught stealing the valuable grain provisions of the town.
10	Upon the Man being led to his execution, his Mother burst forth and begged to take his place, saying:
11	As the Gods be my witnesses, it is I, not my son who has transgressed.
12	For when he needed to learn the price of right and wrong, I abandoned him.
13	And when he needed to be punished, I spared the rod and instead gave praise.
14	Kill me now, for his unjust death seals my own fate.