When Johnny was six years old, he was with his father when they were caught speeding. His father handed the officer a five dollar bill with his driver’s license. “It’s O.K., son,” his father said as he drove off, “everybody does it.”

When he was eight, he was permitted at a family council presided over by Uncle George, on the surest means to shave points off of the income tax return. “It’s O.K., kid,” his uncle said, “everybody does it.”

When he was nine, his mother took him to his first theater production. The box office man could not find any seats until his mother discovered an extra two dollars in her purse. “It’s O.K. son,” she said, “everybody does it.”

When he was twelve, he broke his glasses on the way to school. His Aunt Francine persuaded the insurance company that they had been stolen and they collected $27. “It’s O.K., kid,” she said, “everybody does it.”

When he was fifteen, he made right guard on the high school football team. His coach showed him how to block and at the same time grab the opposing end by the shirt so the official could not see it. “It’s O.K., kid,” the coach said, “everybody does it.”

When he was sixteen, he took his first summer job at the market. His assignment was to put overripe tomatoes in the bottom of the boxes and good ones on the top where they would show. “It’s O.K., kid,” the manager said, “everybody does it.”

When he was eighteen, Johnny and a neighbor applied for a college scholarship. Johnny was a marginal student. His neighbor was in the upper three percent of his class, but he couldn’t play right guard. Johnny got the scholarship. “It’s O.K., kid,” he said, “everybody does it.”

When he was nineteen, he was approached by an upper classman who offered the test answers for three dollars. “It’s O.K., kid,” he said, “everybody does it.”

Johnny was caught and sent home in disgrace. “How could you do this to your mother and me?” his father said. “You never learned anything like this at home.” His aunt and uncle were also shocked. If there is anything the adult world cannot stand, it’s a kid who cheats!