How to Handle Teens
A wise old gentleman retired and purchased a modest home near a junior
high school. He spent the first few weeks of his retirement in peace
and
contentment. Then a new school year began.
The very next afternoon
three
young boys, full of youthful, after-school enthusiasm, came down his
street, beating merrily on every trash can they encountered. The
crashing percussion continued day after day, until finally the wise
old
man decided it was time to take some action.
The next afternoon, he walked out to meet the young percussionists as
they banged their way down the street. Stopping them, he said, "You
kids
are a lot of fun. I like to see you express your exuberance like that.
In fact, I used to do the same thing when I was your age. Will you do
me
a favor? I'll give you each a dollar if you'll promise to come around
every day and do your thing."
The kids were elated and continued to do
a
bang-up job on the trash cans.
After a few days, the old-timer greeted the kids again, but this time
he
had a sad smile on his face.
"This recession's really putting a big dent in my income," he told
them.
"From now on,
I'll only be able to pay you 50 cents to beat on the
cans."
The noisemakers were obviously displeased, but they did accept his
offer
and continued their afternoon ruckus. A few days later, the wily
retiree
approached them again as they drummed their way down the street.
"Look," he said, "I haven't received my Social Security check yet, so
I'm not going to be able to give you more than 25 cents. Will that be
okay?"
"A lousy quarter?" the drum leader exclaimed. "If you think we're
going
to waste our time, beating these cans around for a quarter, you're
nuts!
No way, mister. We quit!"
And the old man enjoyed peace.
