Why Did You Steal The Peaches?
Caught shoplifting, Harry was taken before a judge accused of theft. The judge asked the married middle-aged man, “What did you steal?” “A small can of peaches,” Harry replied. The judge asked him why he had stolen the peaches and Harry replied, “I was hungry your honor.”
The judge then looked at Harry and asked, “How many peaches were there in the can?” Harry answered, “There were only six small slices sir.” The judges asked, “And how do you wish to plea, guilty or not guilty?” Harry shamefully lowered his head and answered, “Guilty your honor.”
The judge, well known to despise shoplifters, angrily began to sentence Harry. “I then sentence you to six days in jail….,” But, before the judge could finish pronouncing the rest of the punishment, Harry’s wife Mary jumped up and interrupted to ask the judge if she could say something first.
The judge, now slightly annoyed asked, “And what have you to say in your husband’s defense?” Harry’s wife came forward, looked the judge right in the eye and said, “Well your honor, I reckon that before you send him to jail that you need to know that he also stole a large can of peas and my rainy day money jar. Throw the book at him sir!”
And thirty days later Harry was released from jail, broke, separated and hungry, so he headed to the store.
