The Kind Son

THE KIND SON

There was once a wealthy old man.   He had two sons that he loved very much.  James was his oldest son and was a famous war hero.  He ran one of the old man’s businesses and brought a lot of money to the family, but he was mean-spirited and rude to his workers and customers.  Samuel was the younger son.   He chose to travel the world rather than join the military.  He refused to run one of his father’s businesses and instead spent his life travelling and taking odd jobs whenever he could find them.

One day, the old man called for his sons.  When they both arrived, he treated them to a feast and said, “My sons, I love you both.  I am old and will not live forever.  I need to decide who will run the family businesses when I am gone.” 

James laughed and said, “How is this a question, father?  I have run one of your businesses for years.  I am famous and a great leader.  Samuel has wasted his life spending time with common people.  He is nothing remarkable.  I should run your businesses.”

Samuel frowned.  “Father, it is true that I spend my time travelling and visiting with people that did not grow up wealthy.  But I have this so that I could better understand how you grew up.  I do not know if I can run your businesses, but I would like a chance to try.”

The old man pondered for a moment and then stood.

”Tomorrow morning, you will be taken to a town in a neighboring county.  There you will be left with no money and only the clothes on your back.   You will not have access to any of this family’s resources.  I will send for you in 6 months and you can show me what you have done on your own.”

James protested, “Father, this is insane.  We should not have to start with nothing.  We have so much already, we can do anything we want.”

But the old man had made up his mind.  “This is the way it will be.  Sleep well.  And best of luck.”

The next morning, James and Samuel were left in the poorer section of a nearby town with nothing to their possession except the clothing that they were wearing. 

“This will be a fantastic adventure!” exclaimed Samuel.  “Would you like to join me for breakfast, James?  I know a baker around here who will take us in.”

“Are you crazy?” said James, incredulously.  “We only have 6 months.   We have no time to waste talking to your pitiful friends!”

James turned and stalked away mumbling.

Samuel smiled at his brother as he left and then turned walked the other way to his friend’s bakery.

Six months passed from that day and the old man sent his staff to find and summon the two sons back to his home. 

Samuel was the first to arrive.  He was well dressed and in good health.  He entered the main hall and greeted his father warmly.  

“Hello father, how have you been?”

“I have been well, my son.  It would appear that you have done well for yourself.”

“I think I have, father.   But where is my brother?  I have not seen him since that first day.”

“Here I am!”  James entered the room in a grandiose fashion.  He was in fancy clothing and smiled broadly.

The old man was impressed.  “You are looking well, James.  Tell me what you have done with your time.”

“Well, father, I now own the largest shipping company in the area.  The day you dropped me off, I was bitter.  I could not see how I would be able to win your challenge in such a short time.  Then I recalled a person I had met at one of our parties.   He owned the largest shipping company in the county and was doing well, but I saw that he could do better.   I reminded him of who I was and told him I was interested in helping him grow his company.   He agreed and made me a partner.   I immediately fired half of the drivers, doubled the work hours on the rest and raised prices.  I even convinced the local government to give us sole access to certain areas in the county.   Since I stepped in, my company’s profits have tripled and I convinced my partner to retire.”

The old man frowned at James then turned to Samuel.  “What about you?  Have you done anything as remarkable as your brother?”

Samuel replied, “I am sorry, father, but I have not.  That day after we were dropped off, I found a friend who ran a small bakery.  He treated me to breakfast and I told him of our adventure.   He offered me a job cleaning up the bakery until I could find something better.   While I worked at the bakery, I had the chance to speak with many of the customers.  They were upset that it had suddenly become much more expensive to deliver their products to areas around the county.   I thought about it and decided I could help them out.  I borrowed the baker’s truck and spent my time off delivering goods for the local business people.   My truck is small and I don’t have a lot of customers.   I do have two people that now help me, but I have not made such a huge impact as James has.  I guess I have failed this challenge.”

The old man sent them to their guest rooms and spent the evening in deep thought about his decision.   In the morning, he met his sons for breakfast. 

“I have made my decision.  James, you have taken a moderately successful business and tripled its profits.  You have managed to give this same business a market advantage and have sent the original owner off to a comfortable retirement.   At least this is the way you would tell it to me and perhaps yourself.   In fact, what you have done is use your fame to hijack someone else’s dream and hard work and alienated many of his customers.  In the end, you stole the business from the owner completely and convinced him that he was better off for it.”

“Samuel, you took a small job and used it to get to know the community you were in.   Using that knowledge you discovered a problem, ironically caused by your brother, and turned it into an opportunity to not only start a business, but to also serve your community.   Your results, while modest, are much more admirable and worthy of praise than the actions of your brother.  

Moreover, you started from scratch.  The point of this exercise was to see who was better fit to carry on my dreams regardless of what might happen.  James, you did not carry on my dreams.  You stole someone else's dream and perverted it to your tastes.  Samuel, you took something of your own and have made it into something that you are proud of without causing harm.  This was my dream in my youth.  Thus, you are my choice as successor.”