Ponsa ponsa time, in a little town in Illinois, a very wise Grandma and Grandpa were raising their four grandchildren. One lovely late spring weekend, the older boys decided to make some money mowing lawns. They loaded up the family lawnmower and canvassed the neighbourhood.
One man offered them $60 to mow his front and back yards, which was far above the going rate for that size yard, in that community. When they boys were finished mowing, they man offered them a further $75 to come the next day and clean out his gutters.
When the boys got home, all excited, and told Grandma about this, and that it seemed strange to them, because the guy had a riding mower in his open garage, Grandma's hinkey meter went off--ding ding ding--with red flags waving everywhere. The next day, Grandpa went with them to clean the guy's gutters. When he saw Grandpa, he decided his gutters didn't need cleaning after all, and offered the boys $20 just for showing up.
A bit of internet research produced the information that the man was a registered sex offender in another town, whose offenses included inappropriate behaviour with boys under 13. He had moved to Grandma's community without registering, and using a false name.
His name is Matthew James Wright. He is going by the name of "Patrick Marlin."
The moral of the story is: if it feels wrong, it is. Nobody pays more than they have to for chores, unless they have some sort of ulterior motive.
Go, Grandma!
ETA: The police have picked him up.
That's our girl!
ReplyDeleteThis is the kind of thing parents have to heed.
ReplyDeleteGood job Grandma!
ReplyDeleteNow, this is why I follow my grandson in the car when he rides his bike to his friends house.
ReplyDeleteI know, I'm paranoid. Rather safe than sorry, though. He is only 10 years old and not a very street-wise boy.
Just teach him to trust his instincts, Mgt. You can't follow him around all his life.
ReplyDeleteWow,good thing she caught on!
ReplyDeleteIt's terrible what people like that do to children,and the damage never really heals. I wish we could ship them all to an Island where they could never get back to the mainland,and have to fend for themsleves! or just kill them!
But we can't...too bad.
In my opinion, they place themselves outside the realm of humanity by such actions.
ReplyDeleteI hated it, in "Old Yeller," when the dog had to be put down, but I can see the parallels.
We repeatedly tell him of the dangers and never to go near the door of a car if someone calls him over. I was the same with my daughter.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter thinks I'm mad until I put the fear of all crikey in her. Telling her of all the awful ways bad kids and adults alike can harm him. I know, I know....I'm awful.
Morning Ronni! I can't stand seeing the face of that pig but I know everyone should be splashing he photo around. No place to hide, mister.
ReplyDeleteWhen I got to work this morning there was a big bag on my desk saying Happy Birthday. Heh, I forgot, and so has the family, I think.
ReplyDeleteSo did I! Thanks for the reminder! Happy Birthday, Mgt!
ReplyDelete