When Ben, my 12-year-old son, agreed to shovel snow for our wealthy neighbor, Mr. Dickinson, for $10 a day, he was excited to earn money for thoughtful gifts for our family. However, Mr. Dickinson refused to pay, claiming it was a “lesson in contracts.” Ben was devastated, and I decided to teach Mr. Dickinson a lesson in accountability.
Ben had been working hard, shoveling snow every morning before school. He tracked his progress carefully and was nearly $20 away from his goal of buying a telescope when Mr. Dickinson reneged on the payment. Upset and frustrated, I went to Mr. Dickinson’s mansion, but he refused to pay, citing the lack of a contract.Determined to teach him a lesson, my family and I moved all the snow from our driveway onto his, burying his car under a pile. When Mr. Dickinson angrily confronted us, I calmly explained the concept of “quantum meruit,” meaning he shouldn’t enjoy the benefit of unpaid work. The next evening, he reluctantly handed over $80 in cash and apologized.Ben’s joy at receiving the money reminded me of the importance of standing up for what’s right.
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