Entitled Rich Guy Threw My Family’s Stuff off the Public Pool Sunbeds – My 4-Year-Old Son Taught Him a Huge Life Lesson
When a stranger disrespected my family at the local pool, I was ready to protect those I loved by all means! But, my lastborn son found a way to teach the stranger an important lesson. This led the man to change his ways and apologize. Read on to find out how!
A man reacting in shock | Source: Pexels
Here’s the tale of how I and a pompous stranger both learned humility. It was a scorching summer day in our town, perfect for a visit to the public pool. My husband, Mike, decided to take our four kids Emily (ten), Lucas (eight), Sophie (six), and little Ben (four) for a well-deserved outing.
We arrived early at the local swimming pool to secure a few sunbeds by the poolside. We spread our towels and placed our cooler and beach bag on the beds before heading for the water.
Sunbeds with towel on them | Source: Midjourney
The crowded pool had families and kids enjoying the water. Laughter echoed through the air. Ben, excited by the sight of the pool, immediately jumped into the shallow end. He started splashing around with other kids his age.
His older siblings followed suit. Mike and I watched them from the deep end, relishing the carefree joy of the moment as we enjoyed the day. As we played in the water, a rude young man in his late 20s, sporting designer sunglasses and an air of arrogance, strutted over to our sunbeds.
Man standing by a sunbed | Source: Midjourney
I watched in horror as, without a second thought, he tossed our towels, cooler, and bag onto the ground! He then claimed the beds for himself, lounging with a smug grin. Having noticed the commotion from the pool, I quickly rushed over.
“Excuse me, those are ours,” I said, pointing at the sunbeds, trying to keep my voice calm. The man barely glanced at me. “Well, they’re mine now. You should have come earlier if you wanted to keep them.”
A happy man wearing sunglasses while lying on a sunbed | Source: Pexels
“That’s not how this works,” I shot back, anger bubbling up inside me. “You can’t just take someone’s stuff and claim it as yours.” He smirked, leaning back on the sunbed. “Watch me.” I was fuming, but before I could respond, Ben toddled over.
His big brown eyes were wide with confusion. “Mommy, why is our stuff on the ground?” I knelt down to his level. “It’s okay, sweetie. We’ll find another spot.” Ben looked at the man and then back at me. His innocent face showed confusion, but he didn’t say anything more.
Woman talking to her son by the pool | Source: Midjourney
Not wanting to cause a scene, trying to stay positive, and avoiding messing up the children’s day, Mike and I chose to be the bigger people. We gathered our things and moved to a patch of grass under a tree, trying to make the best of the situation.
The day wore on, and all I could see was the entitled man’s smug grin as he lounged on our beds every time he glanced our way. He seemed to revel in his small victory. I saw him sipping on his expensive bottled water and chatting loudly on his phone.
Man on sunbed drinking water | Source: Midjourney
But karma wasn’t done with him, as the most interesting part was still to come! As the afternoon turned to evening, the pool staff announced that dinner was being served at the pavilion. A large buffet table was set up with a variety of delicious food.
We joined the line, eager to fill our plates after a long day of swimming and playing. The young rich man, having decided to extend his reign of entitlement, walked straight to the front of the line!
A buffet | Source: Pixabay
He started piling his plate high with an assortment of dishes, taking more than his fair share! The young man seemed oblivious to the annoyed stares from other guests waiting their turn.
My family and I finally made it to the front of the buffet, but much of the food we had been looking forward to was gone. I could see the disappointment on Emily, Lucas, and Sophie’s faces. But before I could say anything, Ben, with his usual boldness, marched over to the rich man’s table.
Boy walking away from the buffet stand | Source: Midjourney
My lastborn child stood beside the man’s plate, which was heaped with food. Without missing a beat, Ben grabbed a piece of chicken from the man’s plate! We looked on in shock, and I was about to come to my son’s rescue when the man replied:
“Hey! You can’t do that!”
Boy taking chicken from a man’s plate | Source: Midjourney
Ben retorted, “You should have come earlier if you wanted to keep it all.” The man looked stunned, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to process what had happened. The surrounding guests, who had seen the earlier sunbed incident, burst into laughter and clapped!
They all appreciated the poetic justice of the moment. “You little brat,” the man finally sputtered, regaining his voice. Ben stared up at him, unfazed. “Mommy says sharing is good. You’re not very good at it.”
People laughing inside a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
The rich man, now the center of attention for all the wrong reasons, seemed to realize the impact of his actions. With a sheepish smile, he pushed his plate toward Ben. “You know what, kid? You’re right. Help yourself.”
Ben nodded, a triumphant look on his face, and began sharing the food with his siblings! The rich man stood up and walked over to the buffet table again. But this time, he waited his turn and took a modest portion!
Boy sharing food with his siblings | Source: Midjourney
We sat down to enjoy our meal, and I couldn’t help but feel proud of Ben. Sometimes, even the simplest actions can teach the most valuable lessons. As we continued to enjoy our meal, another family approached us.
The father, a burly man with a warm smile, introduced himself as Tom. He had watched the entire scene unfold and was impressed by Ben’s boldness. “Your little guy taught that man a lesson he’ll never forget,” Tom said, shaking Mike’s hand.
Two men shaking hands outside | Source: Freepik
“It’s rare that you see such bravery in a kid so young.” Mike beamed with pride. “Ben has always had a strong sense of right and wrong. We’re glad he handled it the way he did.” Tom’s wife, Susan, joined in, her eyes shining with admiration.
“It’s refreshing to see a child stand up for what’s right, especially in front of other kids. It sets a great example.” As we chatted, the rich man, whose name we learned was Alex, walked over. He looked remorseful.
A remorseful-looking man standing by the pool stairs | Source: Pexels
“I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier,” he said, his voice sincere. “I realize now how selfish I was being.” Mike nodded. “It takes a lot to admit when you’re wrong. We appreciate your apology.”
Alex glanced at Ben, who was now engrossed in his drawings. “Your son really made me think,” the young man explained. “I’ve been so wrapped up in my own world that I forgot how my actions affect others. I’d like to make it up to you.”
A happy couple talking to someone | Source: Freepik
He handed Mike a business card. “I own a few restaurants in town. How about dinner on me? It’s the least I can do.” We accepted his offer, and as the weeks passed, Alex became a regular part of our lives.
He joined us for meals and outings, and it was clear that Ben’s simple act of defiance had left a lasting impact on him. One evening, Alex shared his story as we sat around the dinner table. He had grown up in a wealthy family, always getting what he wanted without much effort.
A family enjoying a meal together | Source: Pexels
It wasn’t until Ben’s bold move that he realized the fault in his ways. “I used to think that money could buy everything,” Alex admitted. “But I’ve learned that the most valuable things in life are the lessons we learn from each other.”
As he spoke, I looked around the table at my family and our new friend. It was a reminder that even in the most unexpected situations, there are opportunities for growth and connection.
A family enjoying a meal together | Source: Pexels
Ben looked up from his plate, his eyes full of curiosity. “Mommy, what does ‘valilabu things’ mean?” I smiled, pulling him into a hug. “‘Valuable things.’ It means things that mean a lot to you. Like what you kids mean to your father and me.”
Ben nodded, his little face lighting up with comprehension. “I like that.” We all laughed, the warmth of the moment filling the room. That fateful day had started with frustration but ended with new friendships and crucial lessons.
The little boy looking at his mother with curious eyes | Source: Midjourney
Sometimes, it takes a child’s innocent actions to remind us of the importance of kindness. And in those moments, we find the true meaning of community and the power of empathy. As we said our goodbyes that night, Alex’s parting words stuck with me.
“Your family has given me a new perspective on life. I’m grateful for that.” Watching him walk away, I felt a sense of pride and contentment. Our little Ben had not only taught us an important lesson but also brought us all closer together in an unexpected way.
A couple waving goodbye to a guest who is leaving | Source: Pexels
And so, our lives continued, enriched by the unexpected bonds we had formed and the lessons we had learned. It was a reminder that even the smallest voices can make the biggest impact. He also taught us that true wealth lies in the connections we build and the kindness we show to one another.
A few days later, I saw an article in the local news. It was about an unnamed young businessman who had made a significant donation to a community food bank.
A woman reading a newspaper after showering | Source: Pexels
The article mentioned that he had been inspired by a recent encounter that reminded him of the importance of fairness and sharing.
I looked at Ben, who was busy drawing pictures at the kitchen table, blissfully unaware of the impact he had made. Sometimes, even the smallest voices can teach the biggest lessons if you pay attention.
While Alex learned his lesson and changed his attitude, it isn’t clear if the rude waitress from the following story learned hers.
Little boy drawing pictures | Source: Midjourney
She mocked and was condescending to one woman’s grandfather only to be taught an unexpected lesson in patience. Click here to read all about it!
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
15 Facts About “Harry Potter” That Even the Most Avid Fans Have Probably Missed
The world of Harry Potter is one of the most beloved franchises across several generations. The seven books covering the captivating story of young wizards, in total, sold more than 450 million copies, and the movies grossed more than $7 billion. A part of such great success has been the detailed work of all people involved which we, as fans, can admire infinitely.
We at Now I’ve Seen Everything wanted to dive deep into this magical universe and brought you our curious finds.
1. One might think that Aunt Petunia is cooking in this scene. But she is actually dyeing Dudley’s old clothes grey for Harry’s uniform. This is only ever mentioned in the first book.
2. Number 7 on Harry’s Quidditch uniform
- Actually, the number 7 is a symbolic number in the world of JK Rowling. Moreover, Lord Voldemort has 7 Horcruxes and the last one, as we know, was Harry, which is quite symbolic too. However, the costume designer noted that the choice of this number for the Quidditch uniform is a reference to David Beckham, who played under this number a while back.
3. In the third movie, when Hermione appeared in class out of nowhere, we can actually see her time turner around her neck, which she hides in the next shot.
4. The scarves of Hermione, Ron, and Harry
- The costume designers decided to hint at the character of each person with the help of tiny detail — a scarf. If you’re paying attention, you know that each character ties it in their own way. Hermione tightens it as neatly as possible, according to the rules. Harry throws the end of the scarf over his shoulder. Ron doesn’t tie this accessory at all.
5. Although it may have gone unnoticed amidst all the chaos, in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 we get to see a reunion between Hermione and Viktor Krum.
6. As the story progresses and Harry and his friends begin to destroy the Horcruxes, you can see how Voldemort’s clothes become discolored, his eyes droop, and small lesions appear on his skin as a sign that he is getting weaker.
7. The changing costumes of Dolores Umbridge
- In the image of Dolores, it was important to outline that she has power. We see that she, like many other powerful people, is rather conservative. For example, she wears the same hairdo and sticks to the same colors. Umbridge adores the color pink but its hues change as the plot develops.
- The costume designer commented on it in the following way, “I started with a lighter pink, and then as the film developed the pinks get hotter and hotter and hotter because she’s getting more and more hysterical.”
8. Harry’s scar
In the final shot of the film, Harry’s scar is noticeably faded and barely visible. It’s the reference to the last line of the novel series, “The scar had not pained Harry for 19 years. All was well.”
9. Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort) asked for a hook to be added to Voldemort’s wand so that he could move more fluidly and “snake-like” without the wand falling from his hand.
10. In the last movie, Lucius Malfoy is seen sporting a new tattoo on his neck. This is the prisoner number he was given when he entered Azkaban.
11. Gilderoy Lockhart’s wig
- In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, attentive viewers can notice that the professor of Defence against the Dark Arts, has a wig lying on his table. As we will later learn, Lockhart is a liar, who was cheating everyone and hadn’t done any feats. That is, he lies about everything and even his golden curls are fake.
12. Professor McGonagall has a secret talent.
- The Quidditch trophy from Harry Potter and the Sorcerers’ Stone not only features James Potter, Harry’s father but Professor McGonagall as well. Who would have guessed she was such a great player.
13. Hermione’s valuables.
- When Lockhart unleashes the pixies, Hermione immediately throws her books to the ground while no one else does because she knows the pixies will rip anything in plain sight apart.
14. Severus Snape and Gryffindor’s scarf
- Severus Snape is one of the most controversial characters. It’s not without reason that we see a striped scarf from Gryffindor hanging on the wall in the scene where he is killed. Perhaps he personifies the true inclination of Severus, and in due time he should have gone to Gryffindor, not to Slytherin.
- In the book, Dumbledore once says the following phrase relating to the distribution of students by faculty, “Sometimes I believe we sort too soon.” Perhaps, the professor was right. Perhaps, the scarf hanging in the closet is saying that people can change for the better.
15. As strange as it may seem, in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, a portrait of Voldemort can be seen on the side of the staircase.
What details in Harry Potter did you manage to notice only after re-watching or re-reading each one?
Preview photo credit Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets / Warner Bros. Pictures, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 / Warner Bros. Pictures
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