Because being a bit of a Pollyanna I think it?s the former. DH tends to agree with me. Chap at work doesn?t What do you think?
Yesterday afternoon my eldest son was in the park with his bike (as he is a lot of the time) riding up and down the ramps and practising wheelies etc. He was due home at 6 for our dinner. No sign. DH went to look for him but didn?t come back. I rang DH to ask if he?d found DS. Yes. DS was there but the bike wasn?t. DS had lent the bike to a lad (about 17) who ?needed? it apparently . He had already lent it to him to ride about the park with, and this lad had helped him straigthen the wheel as it was a bit out of alignment. But this time he?s ridden off with it and 40 mins later was still not back. We assumed the worst. DS near tears and very angry and disappointed ? ? he seemed a really nice kid! He had helped me fix my bike. And he really begged to borrow my bike. I felt like I had to lend it to him. But now I know you can?t trust anyone!?. Pointed out to him that one of the boys offered to ring the police on his mobile, and 2 older boys who had overheard this immediately rode off to look for it?so there are still a majority of good people who do care. Not making much headway obviously in the circumstances . DH also cross and he rang the police who said they would send someone round to talk to DS as they were concerned that he was coerced into giving his bike away. We sat down to dinner. Phone rang ? local policeman to tell us he was on his way. At same moment there was knock on the door ? 3 lads with DS?s bike!. We told them the police were coming and could they come in and wait for him to tell him what had happened. Amazingly they did and they sat in out front room eating chocolate. They also apologised for swearing in front of me ..ahhhhhh Obviously don?t know me at all . Policeman talked to DS first. Then to the other lads. Couldn?t press charges even though this lad was known to the police and had form for petty theft because he hadn?t actually threatened DS and as the bike was found near the park he might not have meant to ?permanently deprive? DS of bike. Policeman was very surprised that the bike was returned.
So am I right to be delighted that there are so many good-hearted people around who look out for others? Or should I take this as a sign that the world is a scary and dangerous place and that my kids should never leave my side?