Hotwheels & A Burning Conscience

Just down the street from where I grew up was a drug store that sold Hotwheels cars.  That was great news to a little boy who loved to play with and collect Hotwheels. One day I saw a car that I just had to have.  It was on a shelf and the sticker beneath it read 89¢. However, when the cashier rang it up, I was only charged 59¢.

I left the store and I was thrilled!  The store had under-charged me 30¢, plus I had a really cool new Hotwheels car! However, my excitement was short lived for I soon discovered that I just couldn’t bring myself to play with this car. Every time I tried, my conscience would burn within me. Since I couldn’t stand the pangs of guilt, a couple days later, I took three dimes from my savings, went back to the store, laid them on the counter, and ran out of the store as fast as I could go.

I still have that car to this day. The front wheels are broken off from a lot of play. Most people might throw away a broken car with no wheels, but I’ve kept this car through the years as a reminder not to violate my conscience.

What about you?  Do you have a clear conscience?  If not, collect your “30¢” and go make things right! You’ll be glad you did!

Steve Higginbotham.