A millionaire who had gone to an almshouse to visit his father encountered a neighbor during his visit. The neighbor was greatly surprised to see him there.
"What!" exclaimed the neighbor, "you do sometimes visit your father?"
The millionaire replied, "If our situations were reversed, I am sure he would visit me. The old man has always been rather proud of me."
He paused for a moment, then added softly, "Besides, I had to have his signature; I am insuring his life."
The moral
The story highlights the importance of genuine familial love over selfish motives, suggesting that true duty to family should not be driven by personal gain.
Discussion questions
- What does the story reveal about the nature of true familial duty?
- How can we differentiate between acts of love and acts of obligation that serve personal interests?
- In what ways does this story remind you of other entertaining moral stories or fables?
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Read it in another language
- الابن المطيع · العربية
- Der pflichtbewusste Sohn · Deutsch
- El Hijo Dutiful · Español
- پسر وظیفهشناس · فارسی
- Le Fils Dévoué · Français
- आज्ञाकारी पुत्र · हिन्दी
- Il figlio devoto. · Italiano
- O Filho Dedicado · Português
- Послушный сын. · Русский
- విధేయుడైన కుమారుడు · తెలుగు
- Ang Masunuring Anak · Tagalog
- Послушний син. · Українська
- 孝顺的儿子 · 中文
Good night.
Tomorrow night: The Fox and the Crane
