āNow Tony. Letās look at da price they put on you my boy. Hmm $3.99 for your head?ā
The boy, who was no more than 9, winced and could barely lift his eyes off the ground to meet his fatherās. The manās eyes soften before he takes a deep breath. He glances at you, shrugging off how shaken you look, āI wish thatās how much it cost to keep this boy fed.ā
He turned his attention back to his son and held his shoulders. āNow Tony,ā his voice practically echoed across the store. āThereās gonna be people in your life, like this nincompoop, who think you arenāt worth more than $3.99-ā
He paused for a moment as his son seemed to shrink more into himself. The man took in the dusty floor that needed sweeping and the messy aisle he was in and kneeled.
He gently cupped his sonās face, speaking in a softer tone āBut you, and your head, are worth far more than $3.99. You are such a smart boy and I wish you could see-ā
The boy was on the verge of tears and tried to wrench his face out of his fatherās hands. With a quiet and cracking voice he responded, āIt canāt be worth much if Iām failing English. I thought I speak English!ā
The father attempted to keep his sonās eyes locked with his. āBut youāre in the advanced classes for math! Whatās the sayin? If you judge a fish on how it ties its shoes-ā
The sniffling boy cut in, āHow it climbs a tree, dad.ā
The man looked perturbed, āWhy in the hell would a fish climb a tree? Itās not important. Whatās important is you are worth more than whatever your English teacher, or this goober think you are. Do you remember what I taught you about selling merchandise?ā
The boy swiped away his tears and stood a little taller, āYou need to know what itās worth to price it right.ā
The man ruffled the boyās hair with a small grin on his face, āThatās right! Do you really think these people know your worth better than you?ā
The boy slowly shook his head. His father returned to his full height, ruffled his sonās hair once more, and removed the sticker from his head, āI didnāt think so. And donāt get so caught up in what you canāt do and forget about what you can do. Now Tony, what do you think youāre worth?ā
Tony stood up straight and met his fatherās eyes, āA million bucks!ā
His father laughed, āDonāt you think thatās a little much, Tony?ā He received a light punch on his side as a response. āOkay, okay a million bucks. Now go find yourself a snack so we can go.ā
Tony ran off into another aisle as the mob boss turned his attention back to you. His eyes narrowed, his posture straightened as he scanned you up and down.
With sticker in hand he approached you, āNow cause of you I got to teach my son a valuable lesson today, but⦠just know if it happens again, the price on your head will be $3.99.ā
The mob boss smacked the sticker onto your forehead, paid for his sonās snacks, and left with his million dollar son.