Stealing Candy
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series II Cycle A
Mark was one of those teens that other kids wanted to be with; at the same time parents strongly encouraged their children to stay clear of him. Being told to stay away from someone had the opposite effect. The neighborhood kids were drawn to him like a magnet. Whatever Mark was doing, whether playing ball or just walking around, others would soon join him. Was it his attitude or his cockiness? Parents knew just by looking at him and talking with him that he was trouble.
Mark was the youngest of three children. He was in his early teens when his family moved into the neighborhood from another part of the state.
Mark was quite popular at school and in the neighborhood. Some would sneak out with Mark. One mother went to school late one summer to have her son's class changed so he would not be influenced by Mark.
Teenagers hate to admit it when their parents are right, but in Mark's case they were. One day at the convenience store Mark stole a piece of candy. No one saw him take it, not even the other boys who were with him. As the boys were walking home Mark pulled candy out of his pocket, much to the shock and amazement of the others. "It was easy," Mark bragged. "It was only candy," Mark explained nonchalantly. "It's not as though they are going to go broke over a couple of pieces of candy." The other boys swore that they would not tell their parents what Mark did. The only purpose it would serve would be that they would not be allowed to do anything with Mark. They made a pact not to tell anyone. It would be their little secret.
The next week the boys again walked to the convenience store. This time the boys kept a close watch on Mark. If Mark was going to steal something they would see him. The boys were intrigued with the whole notion of taking something and getting away with it.
Stealing from a store went against everything that their parents and Sunday School teachers taught them. They were always taught that stealing was wrong and people who steal would be arrested and placed in jail. They watched as Mark again stole some candy when the clerk turned. Unfortunately a couple of the boys stole some candy along with Mark. As soon as the boys were outside Mark proudly announced, "See how easy it was. She doesn't even know I took anything!"
If Mark got away with stealing something, then others could too, especially with Mark's encouragement. The temptation was too great for several of the young people. Some of the others would eventually part company with Mark.
Mark was the youngest of three children. He was in his early teens when his family moved into the neighborhood from another part of the state.
Mark was quite popular at school and in the neighborhood. Some would sneak out with Mark. One mother went to school late one summer to have her son's class changed so he would not be influenced by Mark.
Teenagers hate to admit it when their parents are right, but in Mark's case they were. One day at the convenience store Mark stole a piece of candy. No one saw him take it, not even the other boys who were with him. As the boys were walking home Mark pulled candy out of his pocket, much to the shock and amazement of the others. "It was easy," Mark bragged. "It was only candy," Mark explained nonchalantly. "It's not as though they are going to go broke over a couple of pieces of candy." The other boys swore that they would not tell their parents what Mark did. The only purpose it would serve would be that they would not be allowed to do anything with Mark. They made a pact not to tell anyone. It would be their little secret.
The next week the boys again walked to the convenience store. This time the boys kept a close watch on Mark. If Mark was going to steal something they would see him. The boys were intrigued with the whole notion of taking something and getting away with it.
Stealing from a store went against everything that their parents and Sunday School teachers taught them. They were always taught that stealing was wrong and people who steal would be arrested and placed in jail. They watched as Mark again stole some candy when the clerk turned. Unfortunately a couple of the boys stole some candy along with Mark. As soon as the boys were outside Mark proudly announced, "See how easy it was. She doesn't even know I took anything!"
If Mark got away with stealing something, then others could too, especially with Mark's encouragement. The temptation was too great for several of the young people. Some of the others would eventually part company with Mark.
