Stealing is a bad habit. It is not only crime but also a sin. One of the Ten Commandments reads: `Thou shalt not steal.’ God commands us not to steal. Stealing is taking away things belonging to others. We should not take away things which are not ours. If we do so we become thieves.

If we want to have anything, we have to pay for it and then get it. If we want to have food, we have to pay for it and then only eat. If we take it without paying for it, we become thieves and deserves punishment. We can pay for it either in the form of money or hard work. It means we have to work and then only we deserve the food. The food we eat should be hard earned. Otherwise, it amounts to stealing. And stealing is a crime and a sin. So, it invites punishment.

As young boys, you may want a pen, an eraser or a notebook. Since you desire it strongly, you steal it from another boy’s bag. Even if it be such a small article, it is an act of theft. So, you should not do it. Today you steal a small thing. Tomorrow you may need a bigger or are expensive thing. Surely a day will come when you become a robber and a dacoit and deserve capital punishment. Therefore you should not steal anything which does not belong to you.

Sometimes your bad habits prompt you to steal. You know, smoking is a bad habit. Still you become a smoker. You need money to buy cigarettes. If you do not have money, you are tempted to steal money. If you are caught red-handed, you try to cover it telling lies. So, you go on telling lies. It leads to cheating and dishonesty. You begin to steal so many things. Once you get things without hard work, you begin to become lazy. To keep your stolen property, you become violent and cruel. See how a small bad habit spoils your character and brings your downfall.

That is why, you should not entertain the very thought of stealing. If you want to have anything, you have to buy it, you have to work for it, earn money and buy it. You must do your share of work and earn your food. If you want a pen, a book, or anything, ask your parents for money and buy it bravely. That is the right thing you have to do.

Suppose you find a five rupee coin on the road side. You should not be tempted you take it, because it is not yours. It is somebody else’s. So, if you take it, it amounts to stealing. Suppose by mistake the bus conductor gives you change more than he should give. If you take it and pocket it, it also amounts to stealing. Or you may find a purse with money in it on the playground. As a good boy you should hand over it over to your principal. The principal himself will arrange to return it to the rightful owner. But you should not take it and become a thief.

So, taking anything that is not yours is stealing. Avoid doing such sinful acts. You should be honest and true to yourself. Be guided by your conscience. And you will grow into a fine gentleman.