The Lesson of the Egg

Today three of the boys went on a small adventure--they rode their bikes to D. I. (Deseret Industries, our local thrift store). While there, they found a treasure--a gilded ceramic egg that opened on a small hinge, in which you could put all sorts of magical things (like candy, money, or secret notes). Jacob had a few dollars with him, so Robert convinced him to purchase the egg for me and then Robert would pay him back when they got home. The transaction was completed, and Paul carefully carried the egg while they rode their bikes home. When they arrived, they presented it to me with all the excitement and wonder young boys can muster. I admired it exceedingly and Robert and I discussed all the fun things we could do with the egg. We finally decided that we would write little notes to each other and put them in the egg--like a little mailbox. Not 3 minutes later, Jacob came in and started "looking" at the egg (the way boys look has nothing to do with seeing and everything to do with exercising something beyond its capacity to withstand). I told him to go get his pajamas on and brush his teeth, then I left the room to attend to some other pressing business. Jacob hesitated, and almost instantly, the hinge on the back of the egg broke. The egg was essentially ruined, and our plans for fun dissolved in a sea of tears. Jacob was very sorry. He asked how in the world we could fix the egg. Glue? Tape? Stronger glue? No--pot metal cannot be repaired. He agreed to pay Robert back for the egg, and did so. Still everyone was a bit sad. Hopefully Jacob learned that to obey immediately is better that to reap the consequences of delay. A valuable lesson and one I hope he always remembers.