Something for nothing...or something

We were at the pet store Monday, standing in line, when my kids noticed a couple of large ceramic figurines of a dog and cat standing watch over a pile of cash enclosed in plexiglass. Dad! Dad! Can we put some money in there?

"I don't have any money." I really didn't. I hardly ever carry cash anymore. So they turned to their mother, who had just finished paying.

"Mom! Mom! Can we put some money in there?" So she gave them each a penny, which they promptly dropped in the little slot.

As we were leaving the store, Zachary asked, "Hey, don't we get something? What do we get?"

If I hadn't had a headache I would've looked down my nose with a scholarly frown and given a short lecture on the virtues of giving. Yeah, that's exactly what I would have done.

As it was, Monica quickly came to the rescue and tossed out a satisfactory explanation, and away we went. Less a couple of pennies but all the happier knowing we had given to a worthwhile cause.