Steven watched his son Andrew, 17, head off to boarding school, hoping tough lessons would teach respect. Months later, Andrew returned bitter and entitled.
On the plane home, he insulted a flight attendant, tossing snacks and sneering, “You’re just here to serve.” Nearby passengers winced. Then, Steven appeared, cold and firm: “Apologize. To her. To everyone.”
Back home, Steven laid down the law: no more boarding school. Andrew would attend public school—and work as a janitor at the airport. No perks. Just hard work.
At the airport, Andrew faced scorn and cruelty. People ignored him, even kicked him. The same flight attendant he’d insulted watched in surprise when Andrew humbly apologized.
“It takes courage to admit that,” she said gently.
In that moment, Andrew felt something new—humility. Maybe this was the start of becoming the man his father hoped for.
