The bandit wanted to train his son in his profession. After teaching him the rudiments, he concluded: “Discretion is the essence of stealing. If you can’t find any ready cash or gold while looting a house, pick up the whole bag. If you can’t find the bag, don’t hesitate to pick up the whole chest and run away.” He, then, set him alone on his maiden adventure.
That night, the young thief entered a house, but could not find any gold, cash, bag, or chest. He did not want to return without some success on his first adventure.
Next morning, he was caught while digging around the house. He was let off after a severe thrashing. He reported to his father back at home: “Since I could not find anything of what you told me, I was trying to pick up the house.”