In the US, as in most parts of the world, we would barely consider leaving a dog alone outside a store, let alone our kids. But in Denmark, things are different. It’s become somewhat of a joke among tourists that those “crazy” Danes leave their strollers with their babies outside on the sidewalk while they duck into a store.
We may laugh, but the Danes know better. It’s not crazy at all: they just know their kids are safe!
Case in point: this week, a thief in Copenhagen made off with a three-wheeled bike (invented in Freetown Christiania, which we told you about in December) only to realize precious cargo was on board. Three children were quietly sleeping in the covered cargo box at the front of the bike, reports Copenhagenize.com
True to Danish form, the dad had popped into a shop, leaving the bulky bike and the napping kids outside.
But what did the thief do when he realized he’d not only committed theft, but kidnapping as well? Well, he did the right thing of course! He asked the eldest of the three kids, who was seven years old, where they lived and proceeded to deliver them to a neighbor.
The 39-year-old man was charged with bike theft, which comes with a fine of 1400 kroner (about $280.)
So, if this were a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, what would be the moral of the story? If you leave your kids on your bike outside a store, don’t expect to see your bike again. Rest assured, however, that your kids will be safely returned.
But here’s our question: In a country with free healthcare, free childcare and unemployment insurance that covers 90 percent of your former salary, what does anyone need to be stealing for?
Photo by Darragh Worland.
