My twelve-year-old son Ben is responsible and hardworking. When our wealthy neighbor, Mr. Dickinson, offered him $10 a day to shovel snow, Ben eagerly accepted, saving to buy gifts for our family and a telescope for himself.
After eight mornings of shoveling in freezing weather, Ben returned one day upset—Dickinson refused to pay, claiming Ben should have asked for a contract. Furious at the injustice, I decided to teach a lesson.
The next morning, our family shoveled snow onto Dickinson’s driveway instead of ours. Neighbors watched as his pristine driveway disappeared under our work. Defeated, he eventually returned the $80 he owed Ben with an apology.
Ben learned more than just the value of money—he saw the importance of integrity, accountability, and standing up for himself when someone tried to take advantage.