Thursday, October 22, 2009

Gas Thieves

Since Daddy had started a woodworking shop he had bought several fuel tanks and set them up under our pine trees behind the house. He had allowed us children to paint them a shiny silver and once they were dry he wrote GAS on the one with big black letters so it wouldn't be confused with the tank of diesel fuel standing right next to it.

It took quite a lot more diesel than gas to run the machinery in the shop but somehow the gas tank got empty before the diesel. Daddy asked all of us if we had opened the valves or if we have any idea why the tank was empty already. We were all clueless about what could be happening to the gas.

Daddy kept having to fill the gas tank once a month, and then winter came and one morning we woke up to fresh tracks in the snow in front of the gas tank. Daddy wasn't very happy about the idea that someone was stealing gas and decided he is going to try to watch the tank and catch the thieves in the act.

Sure enough several nights later as he peeped out the kitchen window he saw our neighbors two teen-aged boys filling their gas cans. He hurried down to the basement and out through the shop stopping in the engine room long enough to pick up our gas can.

He walked up to them and said "Here's some more gas you can have." They jumped and turned around to see who was there. Daddy repeated. "Here is another can of gas for you," and held it out to them. They stammered around a bit and refused to accept it.

They offered to pay for the gas in their cans but Daddy refused to take any of their money and told them the next time they really need gas to come to the house and he will be glad to give them what ever they need.

He told them goodnight and came back into the house. They stood there for awhile and then walked home with their gas. But from that night on we never had any problems with gas disappearing and they never came to accept Daddy's offer of free gas either.

21 comments:

  1. what great lessons your father taught his children as well as the neighbors. now a days someone would have come to meet the theives with a gun and no good lessons would have come from that!

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  2. A good lesson they probably never forgot! This reminds me of the scene with the candlesticks and silverware in Les Miserables.

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  3. What a man of character your dad had. A lesson like that will last a life time. Very powerful!

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  4. Excellent post, what a wonderful idea. There have been thieves about round here too, it seems too easy to steal these days.

    CJ xx

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  5. I loved this story - Your father is truly a great man. To be patient and kind and still teach two teenaged boys a lesson.
    I am sure today they are teaching that lesson to somebody else and they will never forget it.

    Thanks for sharing that was awesome!

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  6. People tease the Amish for the pacifism, but you know, sometimes it really is the better path!

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  7. It takes a special person to handle that situation the way you Dad did. I'm not sure how many people would do the same.
    Sunny :)

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  8. What a great story;) That was wonderful how he handled it!!

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  9. Your father was very wise and understood psychology. Glad it worked on those thieving teenagers.

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  10. That was the best lesson those boys could have ever gotten.

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  11. Wow, what a wonderful story, and what a wonderful man your father is to have reacted like that. God's ways are best!

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  12. That was the best way to teach the boys. If only we could have more of it today, rather than vendettas and revenge.

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  13. Awesome lesson! Turning the other cheek in a different sorta way!

    Thanks for sharing!

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  14. and that is what I say...the Amish have a way of following the Word...and teaching lessons...with nary a scolding, hitting, or loud noise made...amazing lifestyle..!!! we could all take lessons from them...and your Dad shows it...he has character of just being!!! thanks for sharing and God Bless..hugs...Ora

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  15. How extraordinary! Do you recall, in the Victor Hugo novel "Les Miserables," how the Father gives the thief, Jean Valjean, more silver? The act of kindness, of not judging, turned the character's life around. So indeed it may be that your father's classy and kind act turned those boys around.

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  16. What a beautiful story. I shall remember it. Thank you.

    Best wishes,
    Bearfriend xx

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  17. What a wise man your father was! I loved your story on the deviled eggs as well. Great blog!

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  18. WOW! What a wonderful story! Thanks for sharing!

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  19. Thank you so much for sharing your life with us!! Fantastic lessons!

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  20. What a wonderful your father set for his children, and now you're able to share it with so many of us. Thank you so much.
    Blessings,
    Marcia

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