**BREAKING: SPANISH COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF CROQUETTE CONNOISSEUR**
In a shocking turn of events, a Spanish court has declared that a supermarket worker was brutally and unjustly terminated from his position for committing the heinous crime of eating a single, sad, leftover croquette that was mere minutes away from meeting its inevitable fate in the trash.
According to eyewitnesses (okay, it was just the store manager), Juan Hernandez, a 32-year-old deli department employee, was fired on the spot after being caught red-handed, or rather, red-fingered, with the crispy, golden-brown delight.
The court’s ruling, which has sent shockwaves throughout the nation, stated that Hernandez’s actions were not only justified but also a fundamental human right. “Eating a croquette that was about to be discarded is not a crime, it’s a civic duty,” declared Judge Maria Rodriguez. “The defendant’s stomach was hungry, the croquette was going to waste, and the universe was simply aligning in a delicious and just way.”
The plaintiff, Supermarket S.A., had argued that Hernandez’s actions constituted “gross misconduct” and “a blatant disregard for company policy.” However, the court saw it differently, ruling that the supermarket’s zero-tolerance policy on croquette pilfering was, in fact, a “cruel and unusual punishment” that infringed upon Hernandez’s basic human rights.
As a result of the ruling, Hernandez will receive a generous compensation package, including a year’s worth of free croquettes, a complimentary stomach stapling procedure, and a glowing letter of recommendation to any future employer.
In a statement, Hernandez expressed his gratitude to the court, saying, “I’m just glad I can finally eat a croquette in peace, without fear of reprisal or judgment. And if that means I have to wear a ‘I’m with stupid’ t-shirt to work every day, so be it.”
The supermarket, on the other hand, has vowed to appeal the decision, citing “the devastating impact on the nation’s snack food reserves” and “the precedent it sets for future fridge-raiding, cookie-hoarding, and snack-attacking employees.”
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story, and in the meantime, remember: if you’re ever in a Spanish supermarket and you see a delicious-looking croquette calling your name, just go for it. The law is on your side.
