Theme: Dishonesty/ Cheating/ Integrity Issue

The First Thief

Tan trembled before his boss and those accusing account books open on the huge desk before him. Mr Goh was known to be a kind and fair man, but he was also a stickler for honesty – and Tan had been dishonest.

What a fool. And a knave, he had been in that one weak moment! He had only himself to blame.

It happened six months ago. His teenage daughter Mei wanted $500 for a designer dress for a party. He could not afford it. But her classmates all had such dresses, so how could she do without it? Mei was all he had now. His wife Denise had left him, precisely because of their endless bickering over those expensive things she insisted she had to have to look decent.

Some of the firm’s customers settled their bills early, and in cash too, although they were allowed three months’ credit. If he ‘borrowed’ from those payments, he could make up shortages from subsequent months’ payments – and he could roll on like that till he could repay every cent he ‘borrowed’. He did intend to repay every cent of it. He had only to be careful he had no shortage position when the auditors came around.

It was not an easy thing for a man like him to do. He had agonised more over the ethics than the mechanics of the scam. He could not help it: what could he do? Mei was crying her eyes out, preferring death to the dishonour of wearing cheap rags to the party. Mei was all he had now.

So Tan took the money. He suffered the torments of hell thereafter. He became nervous and shifty-eyed, whenever Mr Goh looked his way. Whenever he was asked about payments received, Tan would start stammering at once. It was almost as though something in him was trying to signal to his boss to catch him out!

Now his boss had obviously caught him out. Why else would he summon Tan to his room, and with such a serious countenance, tell him to close the door behind him?

“I’ve been dishonest,” Tan forestalled his boss before he could begin. He confessed everything, right down to Mei’s dress and Denise’s desertion. I have committed a crime. I wouldn’t blame you if you sack me. And call the police too.”

His boss listened in silence. He looked intently at Tan’s face. Then he reached his decision.

“If I let you off will you promise me two things? First, you repay quickly what you haven’t repaid yet, and from now on you maintain absolute integrity.”

Tan’s face lit up. “Yes, yes!” he nodded vigorously.

“Second, tell your daughter everything, including how you almost went to jail today!”

Tan nodded again. He understood. Mei would have to understand. He knew she would. She wasn’t bad, only immature.

“Why have been so good, so understanding? And so confident about me for the future?” Tan had to know from his boss.

“You’re the second person to have stolen from the firm. Years ago, someone else did. He had an understanding boss. He never let him down after that.”

“Who’s the person? Can you tell me?” Tan asked.

His boss did not respond at once. Then he smiled and said,” Not now. But the day the person retires, I’ll tell you.”

Tan did well. In fact he took over as boss the day Mr Goh retired.

That day Mr Goh told him.