Sam Jackson always goes on his usual walk every morning, bright and early. Just to feel the breeze against his face. Sam is known as the blundering type. He is always bumping into things and making mistakes. As he was doing his usual walk in the marketplace, he greeted everyone. Then, he saw a couple of kids. He made nothing of it at first, but he then saw them gesticulating towards a stall that sold all kinds of jewelry and items that could cost a fortune. He made his way closer to them.

“Nice looking items, huh?” he said, trying to play it off cool.

“Yup, very nice,” one of them replied.

“Anndddd expensive,” the other said giving a conspiratorial look.

The last one gave him a sharp look and smacked him on the arm. They were definitely planning on taking something. Sam bumped into one of the market stalls. He turned to see some of the boys laughing at him. Sam shook it off and talked to them.

“It would be a shame if someone were to take something expensive. Who knows how long it took for someone to find something so precious, only to have it stolen,” Sam said, trying to stop them.

“It definitely would,” a small boy said, coming up from behind them. The other three rolled their eyes. Sam nodded and walked away, noticing the vicissitudes of the marketplace with so many people jogging along. As he turned back around, he saw one of the boys take something and put it in his bag. Sam walked right back up to them.

“I don’t recommend doing that,” Sam said.

“What’s it to you, old man?” the boy with a dramatic look.

“Hey! Don’t disrespect him!” the second boy said.

The first boy smacked him and the other fell to the ground; one of the boys looked up at him meekly. He then got back up and returned the favor. One of the boys punched him in the face. They were soon on the ground and festoons of flowers and ribbons were starting to fall everywhere. Sam picked one of them off the ground.

“Okay, okay, enough of that. Come on, what is this?” Sam said, waiting for an answer with his hand stuck out, waiting for the jewelry. One of the boys looked angry, but still handed it over.

“You’re too young for this, boys. You guys have to learn to be hard-working, and I know you’ll be able to learn. This is not the answer. Going around and stealing things? Focus on schoolwork, getting a job, or even girls if you want. You don’t want to have a record. Promise me you won’t do this anymore. I don’t want the next time I see you to be on my TV screen, with the news announcing they’re looking for you boys,” Sam said with a stern face.

“I promise,” the youngest said.

“I want to hear it from the rest of you,” Sam insisted, pointing at them.

“I, uh, I promise,” the rest agreed.

“Now you’re going to go return this and apologize,” Sam said with a stern voice.

“What! Why?” the oldest said.

“You have to own up to your mistakes and apologize when you mess up. No negotiating. 

Go!” Sam said as he watched them. He knew those boys would be able to change their lives around. He knew they could!

The End