You reap what you sow

I was entering the supermarket when a young man (11 or 12 years of age) stepped into my path, jiggling a beverage cup from a fast food franchise half full of change. He was attired in the latest fashion of his generation, so I didn’t take him to be needy. “Cash for me to build a clubhouse.” It wasn’t a question. I declined to contribute, noting that the leaves would be falling soon. I suggested he go around now to line up raking jobs to finance his construction. “Why should I do that?” he replied, somewhat indignantly. “You have more money than me. You should pay for it.” “Where did you get that idea?” He drew himself up to his full height and regarded me with nothing short of scorn for the ignorant. “From the President of the United States.” Yes, that’s what it’s come to and where it’s going.