Setting up a lemonade stand is a right of passage for many children. It’s a great way to make a little extra money and to introduce yourself to owning your own business.
Lemonade stands are something that many children enjoy having but for Josh and Rebecca Caldwell, things took a rather dark turn. They had set up their lemonade stand in Chesapeake, Virginia and were doing quite well when the incident occurred.
A man had pulled up to buy a cup of lemonade and Rebecca was pouring drinks. Just when they were ready to take his money, he grabbed the jar and took off in his automobile.
Rebecca said: “When I was pouring him the lemonade, he stole the money. I was pretty scared, and it made me mad.”
There was about $40 in the jar, which wasn’t much for most people but it was all that Josh and Rebecca had made that day. They were shocked that it happened, and their mother called the police right away to report it.
This type of the situation is difficult to wrap your head around, especially when you are a child. It is frightening to be robbed, but it did turn into a teachable moment for the kids.
The mother said: “I talked to Josh and Rebecca about forgiving the guy because I know if you don’t forgive, you’re gonna have bitterness in your heart.”
Rather than closing up shop completely, the kids decided to open their lemonade stand again. After the news broke in the community, people from all over came to buy some lemonade.
There were more than 650 people standing in line to support the siblings when they reopened their little business. It may have started out as a disappointing event in their first venture, but the second venture was awesome.
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