People cheat. It's a sad fact. Some cheating is more tolerated than others, but it's still wrong.
Those who cheat on their taxes face federal charges. Cheating the elderly is quite frowned upon. But cheating kids? Go directly to jail. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Well, the $200 was the problem in this case.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Saturday, May 4, 1968:
Renege On Reward
Parrot Finder Gets The Bird
Twelve-year-old Michael J. Brandt of 4522 N. San Carlos Pl. found a parrot. He fed the parrot and gave it water and generally took good care of it.
Michael read an ad in the paper. It said: $200 for return of lost parrot named "Zooloo."
Michael returned the lost parrot, reportedly got a pat on the head, a kiss and a $200 check from its owner.
Happy Michael went to the bank, found the owner had stopped payment on the check. Exit unhappy Michael.
Unhappy Jerome N. Brandt, Michael's father, saw an attorney who filed suit in Justice court yesterday.
Happy Michael promptly got two crisp $100 bills. The attorney withdrew the suit.
So Michael got his $200. That was a win. The parrot owner won in a way. He or she did get the parrot back. The lawyer won, he got his fee from the only one who probably didn't win.
Michael's father had to pay the lawyer, perhaps even as much as Michael received. But what a dad!Β Dad went to bat for his son. Yes, perhaps Michael's lesson that life isn't fair got delayed, but the boy was rewarded for doing the right thing and he would certainly learn that unpleasant lesson soon enough.
We think the parrot owner should have been forced to pay the legal fees, but that would have required the lawsuit to continue.
