These two little boys ~~ and their father ~~ have just learned a very expensive lesson in honesty. Eleven year-old Nick Smith won a lottery in a Minnesota benefit hockey game last week. If he could shoot a puck from the opposite blue line toward a 3½-inch hole and make a successful shot, he would $50.000. The trouble is, when his name was called, Nick was outside and his identical twin brother Nate stepped into his place. The event organizer asked Nate if his name was Nick, and Nate said, "Yes". He stepped onto the ice, made the 90-foot shot, and the puck went into the 3½-inch hole. Everyone was shocked, including professional hockey players. "How on earth did he do that?"Right shot, wrong kid.
Afterwards, their father, Pat Smith, told officials of the switch. "We kind of went along with it that it was Nick," Pat Smith told KEYC-TV. "Then the next day I called back and said, 'You know, it was really Nate that made the shot.' We thought honesty was the best policy, and we wanted to set a good example for our kids." The insurance company, Odds On Promotions, still is deciding whether to pay up. If it receives the money, the family said it will go for the twins' college educations.
Asked if he and his brother will continue to swap places, Nate Smith replied: "We have before, but I don't think we can again."
They have before? That's interesting.
I am of two minds as to whether or not they should be paid the $50,000. Just because they are brothers and identical twins, they are not the same person. It's kind of a *bait and switch* situation. On the other hand... Nate did make the difficult shot ~~ and won.
If ever there were a situation that required the wisdom of Solomon, this is it. According to a survey, 76% of people think the boys should get the $50,000, and only 24% think they should not. I am indecisive at the moment, but the fact that they have switched identities before sort of sways me towards thinking they should not get the money.
I guess for these boys ~~ and their father ~~ they're never too young to learn a lesson. I would be interested to know what folks think about this. Should they get the money?
