Your mother was actually quite smart. If she spanked the bejesus out of you, would you regret that you lightened the grocers' load or that you were caught?
I think finding out this way gave you respect for the grocer for not calling you out and for your mom, for letting you find out on your own.
So much more guilt this way, plus a funny story. Score for Mom. It actually was a pretty fun story, Galen. You just can't make this stuff up.
I was on the wrong end of bejesus-spanking on more than one occasion but missed out this time. I'm not unhappy about that of course, however my butt had, by the age of nine, developed into rock hard buns of steel and were virtually impervious to spanking. 😁
I remember well this serious of events, only three fruit-stealings if I'm honest, and the lessons learned. I stopped taking the fruit because I knew it was wrong and felt guilty about my theft. Had I persisted I would have been punished, no doubt, but I think my mum wanted to see what I did and, it seems, I did the right thing, came to the right conclusion and *that shows my upbringing and that mum and dad did a reasonable job.
I have never forgotten this episode and am thankful it happened, and that I reached my own (right) decision.
I'm glad you liked the retelling. It was nice remembering it and showing my humanness and fallibility.
You have great retelling skills, especially if given a little free reign. Just the right touch to make it funny, no matter what side you are on. :)
Thanks Swigs, I try to keep it real even, sometimes, at my own expense. 😉