Shame On You

Lin was a boy who would constantly forget things. He would forget his lunch, his homework, or where he left his shoes. His mother told him to lock the door to the house every time he left for school because she could not. She had work early in the morning while Lin did not have class at school until nine o'clock in the morning. 

When she got back home before Lin that day, she noticed that the front door was unlocked, but nothing was damaged or stolen from the house. She talked with Lin about it and Lin apologized halfheartedly and promised that it will not happen again. Yet, after a week, Lin forgot to lock the door again and this time his mother came home to discover that their furniture, valuables, and all of her emergency money were gone. 

When Lin came home, he was met with a loud, outraged, and reprimanding mother. Eventually, after her screaming, she just sat down on the floor and broke down in tears, saying, "Lin, this was such an important and little thing to remember. How can you make this mistake again?" 

After she shared her words, she just went to her room and locked herself in, unable to look at Lin's face out of disappointment. Lin just stood there, absorbing all of this into his heart. He contemplated the massive mistake he made and felt ashamed. He tried to talk with his mother, but she just kept quiet in her room. Lin, determined to make things right, decided to try and fix the situation. 

He decided to call the police and explain everything that happened. Lin, in that same week, also got a part-time job, hoping that he can pay back to his mom everything they lost. For half a year, he and his mom both had to work to recover the money they lost. That was how long it took before Lin's mom forgave him. That day, Lin promised, whole-heartedly, that he would never forget anything as important as locking the house door. 

Lin, still eventually forgot a few things and again was reprimanded, but Lin truly put his responsibilities to heart. He was imperfect, but he never forgot to lock any important locks for the rest of his life, lest he face the pain of failing his loving mother.