Matt and Mandy

Illustrations by Shauna Mooney Kawasaki

Mandy: Dad, if somebody called somebody else a really mean name and then the second somebody punched the first somebody, who would need to repent?

Dad: Well, the first somebody would need to repent of the mean name, and the second somebody would need to repent of the punching.

Mandy: But wouldn’t the first somebody be worse because she started it?

Dad: Does it matter who’s worse? Both have done wrong, and both need to apologize and repent.

The next day—
Mandy: Linda, I’m really sorry I punched you. How can I make it up to you?

Linda: You can get out of my sight, you toad!

Mandy: Thanks, Linda. I will.

That night—
Dad: Somebody seems a lot happier.

Mandy: Somebody is.