They had a superb meal at the restaurant. Their food tasted just like Mama’s. The service was warm and friendly. The waiters were attentive, as usual. They have been going to this restaurant for two straight years every month. They leave smiling and content. One particular night, when they know that they have to move onto another restaurant, and this would be their last meal, the young couple decides to exit through the back door before the bill arrives (right after their coffee and dessert).

At the back door, the manager approaches them. They all know each other very well by now. Before saying goodbye, the manager reminds the client that there is a bill to pay. The client says, “But of course, I know that. I will be back another day to pay. You could trust me.” The manager knows the client, or at least he thinks he knows the client. He nods his head and they shake hands.

The manager never sees the client again.

I think by now, you get the gist of my story. I own a daycare. We provide a service. We offer home-cooked meals. We create a warm and loving environment. We prepare children for school. When school fees are not paid for x and y reasons, the bottom line is; Morality.

Find the money to pay the daycare or school anyway you can. After seventeen years, I can say easily that there exist many type of parents who do not paid their tuition fee. I don’t assume to know the type, because human nature is more often than not, questionable. From strangers to family, the list of the Unpaid changes with each passing year.

If someone is raised with proper values to pay for a service, then they will find it appalling to even fathom the idea of dashing and dining or not paying a school fee.

The manager could not understand this client. No matter how many times he tried to wrap his finger around it, he came to a dead end. He waited days, weeks, and months. Then he added the amount to the “loss” section of his financial statement.

Due to integrity and values, he promised himself, that when he ran into his client (and he was sure that one day he would), he would ask him if he enjoyed his last meal at his restaurant, and make no mention of the money owed to him.

Morality and integrity lead me to believe that parents who don’t pay would be sleeping better at night if they had at least bought a small gift of appreciation, or at least said a proper goodbye. Morality and integrity are traits we should be passing down to young children. Their eager eyes are watching us; all the moves we make and they are taking down notes in their tiny little minds, whether we are conscious of it or not. We must provide good examples by respecting other people’s hard work and paying for a service rendered.

Some people complain at a restaurant just to get a free meal, but we all know that nothing is free. At some point there is a cost to every action.