During a routine math lesson, the teacher posed a simple question to the class: “Johnny, if you have $11 and you lend someone $6, how much do you have left?” Without a second of hesitation, Johnny answered confidently, “Eleven dollars.”
The rest of the class burst into laughter, but the teacher paused, intrigued by his conviction, and asked him why he thought that. Johnny explained that his father had taught him a vital rule: never lend money you can’t afford to lose. He shared that a painful past experience had once left his family struggling after a loan they gave out was never repaid. To Johnny, if he were to “lend” that $6, it was already gone in his mind—so he simply wouldn’t do it unless he was prepared to part with it forever.
The teacher suddenly realized that Johnny’s answer wasn’t wrong; it revealed a profound life lesson. It showed that trust, caution, and responsibility matter just as much as the numbers on a page. Johnny went home that day feeling proud, having mastered both the math and the delicate balance between kindness and caution.
