The Mourning Brothers
Story Summary
In the short story "The Mourning Brothers," an Old Man, sensing his death, challenges his sons to prove their sorrow by wearing weeds on their hats, promising his fortune to the one who endures the longest. After years of stubbornness, they agree to share the inheritance, only to discover that an Executor has taken control of the estate, leaving them with nothing. This tale, rich in folklore and moral lessons, highlights the consequences of hypocrisy and obstinacy, making it one of the best moral stories in short story collections.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
Hypocrisy and stubbornness can lead to self-inflicted loss and regret.
Historical Context
This story reflects themes common in fables and moral tales, particularly those found in Aesop's Fables, which often explore human nature, familial relationships, and the consequences of actions. The narrative highlights the futility of insincere displays of grief and the complexities of inheritance, resonating with cultural traditions that emphasize the moral lessons gleaned from familial disputes and the value of genuine respect. Variations of such themes appear in various cultures, including similar tales in folk literature that critique hypocrisy and the folly of stubbornness.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of posthumous respect and the futility of competing for approval through empty gestures. In modern life, we often see similar dynamics in family inheritance disputes, where relatives may feign loyalty or manipulate situations for personal gain, ultimately leading to fractured relationships and unintended consequences. For instance, siblings might engage in a bitter rivalry over their parents' estate, pretending to honor their parents' memory, only to realize that their actions have estranged them from one another, much like the sons in the story.
You May Also Like
A Prophet of Evil
In "A Prophet of Evil," an undertaker encounters a gravedigger who reveals that his union, the Gravediggers' National Extortion Society, is limiting the number of graves to increase profits. The undertaker warns that if people cannot secure graves, they may stop dying altogether, which could have dire consequences for civilization. This engaging moral tale highlights the absurdities of prioritizing profit over essential human needs, making it a thought-provoking addition to the realm of life-changing stories with moral lessons.
The Miser who lost his Treasure
"The Miser Who Lost His Treasure" is an inspirational short story with a timeless moral about the futility of greed. The tale follows a miser who hoards his wealth, only to be devastated when a grave digger steals his buried coins, revealing that he never enjoyed his riches. A passerby poignantly points out that since he never used the money, he might as well have kept a rock in its place, emphasizing the lesson that true possession comes from usage, not mere accumulation.
From the Minutes
In "From the Minutes," a misguided orator, proud of his supposed integrity, misinterprets a gesture of scorn directed at his reputation, leading to his mortifying collapse and death. His colleagues, reflecting on the simple lessons from his frequent nonsensical speeches, decide to honor him by adjourning whenever they are tired, illustrating the big moral story of the consequences of lacking common sense. This very short moral story serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and self-awareness.
Other names for this story
Brothers of Grief, The Weeds of Regret, Inheritance of Sorrow, The Last Will of the Old Man, Hat of Mourning, Legacy of Hypocrisy, The Price of Grieving, Brothers in Mourning
Did You Know?
This story illustrates the futility of seeking respect through artificial displays of mourning, highlighting how genuine emotions and familial bonds can be overshadowed by competition and greed. Ultimately, it serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of hypocrisy and stubbornness in human relationships.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.