Friday 10 February 2012

It's okay son. Everybody does it.

The story goes like this...

One day, a young boy and his father were cruising along a highway when they were stopped for speeding. His father wind down the window and started to plead with the traffic policeman. The officer ignored the plea and asked for driving licence. His father obliged, took out the driving licence and clipped a RM 50.00 note to it and gave it to the officer. The son found it very weird and asked his dad why he gave the officer RM 50.00 when all the officer asked for was his driving licence....

Its okay son. Everybody does it.

Later, when he attended primary school, he brought back a form to apply for the free text book and gave it to his dad. The young boy reminded his dad to attach a certified true copy of the latest salary slip. So, his dad filled up the form, attached the certified salary slip and gave it to the young boy. The son was amazed when he saw that his father's salary on the slip was way much lower than his actual take. He asked his dad about the discrepancy....

Its okay son. Everybody does it.

At year six, he sat for his UPSR and got straight As. He was delighted. So, the whole family expecting that he will go to a boarding school. The offer did not come. Everybody was frustrated. Only much later that he received an offer to study at a prestigious boarding school. The day came when the whole family sent him there. So he started anew and soon he made friends. During one of the school holidays, he overheard his father's telephone conversation with an unknown person. "you know what, I went to the Ministry and offered something in return for my son's admittance to his current school". The boy was taken aback. He confronted his father about it...

Its okay son. Everybody does it.

Years later, the young boy has grown up and became a man. He was successful in his field. His statement moved the market. His anger sent shivers throughout the community. People queing up for his signature and letter of support. A lot of people either respect, adore or envy him. One day he received a RM100 million law suit for slander. It was all over the news the next day. His father was so incensed and drove all the way to the city to confront the son.

"How could you do this? Why didn't you check the facts before you say something about other people? Don't you have integrity? I bet you have no clue what integrity was all about."

All the while, the son listened attentively with a smile and said...

Its okay dad. Everybody does it in politics.

2 comments: