While fixing supper one evening, a young boy went to his mother in the kitchen and handed her a piece of paper he had written on. After his mother dried her hands, she read this:
For cutting the grass: $3.00
For cleaning up my room this week: $1.00
Baby-sitting my kid brother while you went shopping: $1.00
Taking out the garbage: $1.00
Getting a good report card: $5.00
Cleaning and raking the yard: $2.00
Total: $13.00
Smiling, she picked up a pen, turned over the paper he had written on, and wrote:
For the nine months I carried you : No charge.
For all the nights I sang you lullabies and lulled you into sleep : No charge.
For the toys, food, clothes, and even wiping your nose: No charge.
The daily trips to and from school in my car : No charge
Routine trip to the doctor's : No charge
For being your bankroller : No charge
For my kitchen/culinary services : No charge
For all the kitchen ware you broke : No charge
For your most cherished video game : No charge
For all the many things I can't remember : No charge.
Total sum : No Charge.
The boy finished reading his mother's account with regret.
Ruefully, he took the pen and in big letters wrote:
PAID IN FULL
