The Story of 66 Letters

"A Father we know sent us 66 letters...have you read them, yet?"

Once upon a time, there lived a rich merchant. His business is trading goods across the sea. He has two sons: the first son is intelligent but has a cocky and laid-back attitude; the youngest son is simple in mind, but kind at heart and thoughtful.

One day, the merchant sent forth his messengers to summon the presence of his sons for an important announcement. He will be traveling overseas for a business expedition and he needs someone to take care of all his possessions. Few days after, the sons arrived in their father’s estate.

Moments after their arrival, the sons paid their respects in the presence of their father, prepared to hear their father’s words. And so their father began to speak:

“My sons, I am very pleased to see your presence. Tomorrow, I will be going for an expedition. And to that, I am in the need of someone, whom I could trust all my possessions. That’s why I need both of you here. You know what I expect from you, my sons.”

“Yes father, thy will be done”, the sons answered.

“Another thing, I am growing too old and my time is getting short for me. So I thought that now is the right time to pass my legacy to both of you…under a simple condition.”

“What is it, father?” the sons asked.

“I will be sending you letters; sixty-six letters all in all. All you have to do is to read each of these and do everything and accordingly to what I command. Could I expect you to follow this simple request, my sons?”

“Yes father, we will.”, the sons answered.

And so the father proceeded with his voyage. The two sons then parted ways and did what they are asked. Both received their portions and both received their tasks. And time by time, they receive a letter from their father. Time passed so quickly and both are busy with the duties they have to accomplish. And with that, the letters came to its deadline.

So it came that the merchant, stepped to his arrival after a long time. Coming home, he sent forth his messengers to tell his sons that he has arrived. Few days after, the sons arrived in their father’s estate.

Moments after their arrival, the sons paid their respects in the presence of their father, prepared to hear their father’s words. And so their father began to speak:

“My sons, I am glad to be with your presence after a long and tiring journey across the sea. It seems that both of you did your duties and accomplished them, according to what I’ve expected. But first, did both of you receive the sixty-six letters that I told you are going to receive?”

Now he looked at his youngest son asking: “My son, have you received my last letter?”

The youngest answered:

“Yes father and I’m so glad I did. I anticipated that letter, though it took a longer time than expected. You know father, I missed you so much and I yearned to see you again. There is so much work to do, yet reading the letters made my life and work easier. Thanks to these letters; these helped me during those difficult times. It made me realize that even though we are oceans apart, you’re always there, close to me in my heart.”

The merchant is very pleased to hear such kind words from his youngest son. And so he said to him: “You made my heart happy, my son. As a reward, you shall receive the portion of wealth that you deserve.”

After this, he looked at his eldest son. And so he began to tell him: “My son, I have been writing to you all this time. Did you read all the letters I’ve sent you?”

The eldest answered:

“Yes father, I received all the sixty-six letters.”

The merchant once again asked his son: “But did you read them?

The eldest son wasn’t able to give an immediate reply to his father. Knowing that he cannot deceive his father with a lie, he forced to speak:

“Father, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t able to read the letters you’ve sent. You see, business is getting hard each day, I was too busy working and my schedule was too hectic. I’m also busy taking care of my own family. That’s why I wasn’t able to read all the letters.”

The merchant was angered by the words of his eldest son:

“I kept longing for you for a long time and never did have a time that you’ve been lost inside my mind. I only asked you a very simple favor. Yet you didn’t give any importance to it; you didn’t give time to think about the feelings and thoughts of your own father. You made my heart sad and furious. I am very sorry to do this my son, but you lose half of the portion of your inheritance and these will be handed down to your younger brother. The other half, do whatever you think is good for it. It will serve as payment for all the work you did for me. I think that is enough punishment for your insolence.”

- Story written by Sir Night Celestine

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