The thief and his mother

A young man was caught stealing, and sentenced to death three days later.

　　He wanted to speak with his mother before the execution. Of course this was granted.

　　When his mother came to him, he said, "I want to tell you something." He said something but she could not hear. He whispered again, and when she came close to him, she put her ear to his mouth. He nearly bit off her ear. All the bystanders were horrified.

　　"It is to punish her," he said. "When I was young I began stealing little things, and brought them home to mother. "Instead of punishing me, she laughed and said, 'It will not be noticed.' It is because of her that I am here today."