Teaching Children and Pre-Teens About Shoplifting By Reading Trooper, A Short Story
Posted: Monday, December 07, 2009
by Fran Larson
http://www.franniesquotes.com/
Trooper The footsteps behind him sounded closer and closer. He didn't dare look back. He tried to look cool, even though his heart was racing and his hands were sweaty and cold. Tom Bentley took long strides and pretended to be interested in the clothes being shown in the store windows, inside the Spring Lake Mall. He had to duck around the corner to see if someone was following him. He couldn't go a step further without knowing. He abruptly stopped, then swung into Barnie's Coffee Shop. He tried to look casual, as he turned his head toward the shoppers. His chest felt as if it would burst and surely, everyone could hear his heart beating. He didn't see anyone turn into the coffee shop. His relief turned into suspicion. Maybe the security guards would be appearing any minute. When he tried to speak, his voice wavered, "One coffee, regular." After a few sips of coffee, his heart slowed. He wiped his forehead with a napkin. Still, he would have sworn that someone was following him.
When he was safely home and in his room, he pulled out two Play Station Games from the tan Spring Lake Mall bag, Madden 2005 and Rainbow 63. It wasn't that he couldn't pay for the games; it was just so cool to get away with it. He felt powerful and important again. There was a certain panic-driven thrill when he picked up the games and sped through the mall. He guessed it was the adrenaline rush that made him feel so good. Well, whatever it was, it was exciting, for a change. It was such fun, that Tom decided to do it again. The next Saturday, he went back to EB Games . They never even knew he stole from them. So, he decided, he would come back to the same place. It's just like taking candy from a baby, he thought.
In a split second, he felt someone grab his hands. The police had handcuffed him before he could even get the games completely in his shopping bag. "You're under arrest! We've been waiting for you, buddy. Lucky we had a darn good description of you." Tom felt his face flush, as his rights were read to him. He tried to force his confused emotions into order. He couldn't control his trembling hands. He was intensely humiliated. Tom's first thought was that he would never live this down. How macho is it to be arrested for a couple of play station games! He had to be cool, though. He met the policeman's accusing eyes without flinching or saying a word.
Judge Graham was heavy set with glasses that kept slipping down. He had slightly thinning brown hair and his face held a no nonsense expression. He looked at Tom the way one would look at an alien from a different planet. He cleared his throat and began to speak. "Tom Bentley, I am told that you have stolen from EB Games twice in one week. Twenty-five percent of shoplifters are teenagers like you who come from a good, middle-class home. People who shoplift are generally not doing this for economic reasons but for the thrill of it. The 2001 data that I received shows that between 2000 and 2001, loses for retailers rose twenty-one percent. Already, our economy is suffering. This is senseless. It makes my blood boil. For you, paying a fine would be too easy. I think you need to work and to think about how hard it is to earn money. You will work for three weeks at the Humane Society and your wages will be sent to EB Games. You will also have to return the games and apologize. You will begin Monday. Next case" Judge Graham said all of this without stopping or hesitating while holding a steely gaze on Tom.
The Humane Society welcomed Tom with open arms. There was always cleaning cages, getting fresh water and food for the animals. He had to sometimes give the animals medication or clean up vomit. All in all, there was always so much that had to be done.
Tom fell into the routine at the Humane Society. He had never been around animals that much. He had a puppy when he was a toddler, but he got sick and died. His parents didn't want to go through the heartache of losing another animal. Tom realized that these animals needed love, while they were waiting to be adopted. Tom gave them all the attention that he could.
One day, Amy, another helper brought in a beautiful sandy-colored puppy. He looked like a golden retriever. Amy, wide eyed with excitement, gracefully walked towards Tom. She was tall and had long legs and a short crop of blonde hair. "Guess what? I found this puppy in front of Mason's Hardware!" Her almond-shaped blue eyes sparkled with excitement. "He was in a basket, just lying there. The vet said he was part golden retriever but he didn't know what else he was yet. He can tell, as he gets a little bigger." Tom stroked the little puppy and at once, the pup started wagging his tail and licking him. Even animals have feelings, Tom realized. How terrible to be abandoned.
Tom began to realize that he felt more important taking care of these animals than the few minutes of excitement or fame that he got from being a basketball star. Suddenly, that seemed so long ago. These animals gave Tom unconditional love, whether he was a basketball star or just Tom. By now, the pudgy puppy jumped from Amy's arms to Tom's. He licked Tom's ears, face, neck, while his tail was furiously wagging. He chewed on Tom's finger and would not let go, as if to say, PLEASE TAKE ME HOME. I'LL GIVE YOU ALL THE LOVE AND ATTENTION YOU WANT.
Tom named him Trooper because he was just that. Even abandonment didn't destroy his spirit. He wasn't afraid to love or trust again.
Tom continued to work at the shelter, even after his mandatory time. His heart swelled every time he was a part of the animal's care and the adoption process. He discovered that he was quite a natural for giving them medications or calming them with a touch of his hand.
Ten years passed. Spring Lake, Florida is a quaint little town. Even though it has a mall, people like to gather in the old down town area and have coffee at one of the outside cafes or stroll down the old brick streets. One of the prettiest buildings down town is a two-story brick house with white shutters. The house had been made into an office. The small white sign showing a golden retriever reads:
WE LOVE PETS! THOMAS BENTLEY, DVM.
"Trooper" CHILD RESPONSE Answer the following: 1.Without you knowing it, your 5 year old daughter takes some gum while in the grocery store checkout line. When you get home you discover she has the gum. What do you do?
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)I wanted this story to go on and on - you made a great point and the Humane Society! that is where I have been "window shopping" for over a month now...
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