The Penitent Thief – Aesopus Emendatus

A Boy who had been taught by his Mother to steal grew to be a man and was a professional public official. One day he was taken in the act and condemned to die. While going to the place of execution he passed his Mother and said to her:

“Behold your work! If you had not taught me to steal, I should not have come to this.”

“Indeed!” said the Mother. “And who, pray, taught you to be detected?”