He was driving through town when he heard a loud knocking noise coming from the car.
He instinctively slowed down and was about to say something when a schoolboy ran across the road in front of him. He braked and watched as the boy disappeared down the street. At that moment a police officer suddenly approached the car and tapped on his window. He was smiling and gesturing for the driver to lower his window.
He did this and asked, “Is anything wrong, officer?”
Still smiling, the policeman said, “On the contrary, sir, I have observed your driving manners and have to compliment you on your community attitude.”
The man, taken aback, let out a surprised, “Oh?”
“Yes,” the policeman went on, “as you are no doubt aware, this is a school zone and not only did you begin to slow down just before the zebra crossing, but you braked in time to allow that boy to cross. Of course, he was not crossing the road safely by using the crossing, which is only a short distance ahead, but your actions as a conscientious driver allowed him to get across without harm.”
At this point the policeman straightened and took out his notebook. “What you won’t be aware of, sir, is that we are carrying out a child safety drive at the moment, as part of Child Care Week. We are handing out Driver Safety Awards. They come in the form of a five hundred dollar award token, and I am writing one up for you now, sir. You have definitely earnt one.” He opened his notebook and was asking for the driver’s name when there was more banging coming from somewhere at the back of the vehicle.
The policeman hesitated and moments later a young voice shouted… “Daddy, please let me out! I promise, I won’t do it again!”