The Case of the Stolen IPod: In June, a 14 year old suburban student lent her iPod to a classmate. The classmate says she gave the student her iPod back, but the student says it disappeared. The student’s mother sued the classmate in small claims court for $475 (for the iPod, case, and $50 worth of iTunes), saying that even though she thought the classmate didn’t steal the iPod, she thought the classmate was responsible for the loss. Fast forward to this week, when an anonymous benefactor donated “an iPod Nano, a pink case and $50 worth of iTunes gift certificates” for the student, but her mother refused the gift and is going forward with the litigation. Way to go, mom. Not only are you teaching your daughter not to compromise even when a solution that could be acceptable to everyone is presented, now she gets to start school and be tarred with the that girl brush. Her future therapist thanks you.