The Eligible Son-in-Law

Story Summary
In "The Eligible Son-in-Law," a pious banker is approached by a shabby man seeking a loan of one hundred thousand dollars, claiming he will soon marry the banker's daughter, presenting this as the best security. The banker, unable to see the flaw in this scheme of mutual benefit, agrees to the loan, illustrating the themes often found in short moral tales that emphasize the importance of discernment and the potential pitfalls of blind trust. This folklore-like story serves as a motivational tale for personal growth, reminding readers to critically assess promises that seem too good to be true.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The story illustrates how superficial assessments of worth and security based on appearances and convenience can lead to misguided decisions.
Historical Context
This story reflects the themes of financial transactions and social maneuvering often found in fables and folk tales, particularly those that critique societal values surrounding wealth and marriage. It bears resemblance to traditional tales from various cultures where characters use wit and cunning to navigate relationships and economic exchanges, such as the tales of Aesop or the moral stories in "The Panchatantra." The humorous twist on the societal expectations of marriage and wealth highlights the absurdities of human behavior in pursuit of financial gain and social status.
Our Editors Opinion
This story illustrates the folly of prioritizing superficial appearances and promises over genuine character and integrity in relationships, a lesson still relevant in modern life, where financial and social status can often overshadow true values. For example, in today's dating culture, someone might be tempted to pursue a relationship based solely on a partner's wealth or social standing, neglecting to consider their character, leading to potential heartache and disillusionment.
You May Also Like

The Wolf and the Babe
In the short story "The Wolf and the Babe," a famishing wolf eavesdrops on a mother threatening to toss her child out the window to silence him, hoping for a chance to feast. However, as the day passes, it is the father who returns home and discards both the mother and child instead. This engaging moral tale highlights the unexpected twists of fate and the simple lessons from stories about the consequences of neglect and cruelty.

The Bat and the Weasels
In this thought-provoking moral story, a clever Bat encounters two different Weasels, each time using his wits to adapt his identity and escape being eaten. First, he deceives one Weasel by claiming to be a mouse, and then he convinces another that he is not a mouse but a Bat, showcasing the importance of resourcefulness in difficult situations. This short story serves as an educational moral tale about the value of turning circumstances to one's advantage.

The Miser and His Gold
A Miser hides his gold at the foot of a tree, visiting it regularly to gloat over his wealth but never using it, illustrating a classic moral lesson. When a robber steals the gold, the Miser laments its loss, only to be reminded by a neighbor that since he never utilized the treasure, he might as well simply look at the empty hole instead. This tale, one of the top 10 moral stories, teaches that wealth is worthless if not put to use.
Other names for this story
The Loaning Suitor, The Wealthy Gambit, A Match for Money, The Pious Banker’s Dilemma, The Suitor's Proposal, A Golden Marriage Offer, Love and Loans, The Strategic Son-in-Law
Did You Know?
This story humorously critiques societal values around wealth and marriage, illustrating how financial gain can overshadow genuine relationships and moral considerations, as the banker prioritizes monetary security over the true worth of familial bonds.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.