The Dutiful Son
Story Summary
In "The Dutiful Son," a millionaire unexpectedly visits his father at an almshouse, surprising a neighbor who doubted his commitment. The millionaire feels a moral obligation to visit, believing that if their roles were reversed, his father would do the same, and reveals he also needs his father's signature for a life insurance policy. This story serves as a quick moral story, highlighting themes of duty and familial responsibility, making it a valuable lesson for students.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
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.
Historical Context
This story explores themes of familial obligation and societal perception, reminiscent of Charles Dickens' critiques of wealth and class disparities in Victorian England. The narrative echoes the sentiment found in literary works highlighting the often complex relationships between affluent individuals and their less fortunate family members, illustrating how societal roles can obscure genuine emotional connections. The story can be seen as a modern retelling of classic moral tales that question the integrity of relationships influenced by wealth and status.
Our Editors Opinion
This story highlights the complexities of familial relationships and the often transactional nature of human connections, especially in the face of wealth disparity. In modern life, this can be seen in a scenario where a successful entrepreneur, despite having little time for family, only reaches out to aging parents when seeking their support for a business venture, reflecting a relationship that prioritizes utility over genuine connection.
You May Also Like
The She Goats and Their Beards
In "The She Goats and Their Beards," a unique moral story, the female goats request beards from Jupiter, sparking discontent among the male goats who feel their dignity is threatened. Jupiter permits the females to don beards but reassures the males that their true strength and courage remain unmatched, highlighting that external appearances do not define merit. This childhood story with moral reminds us that superficial similarities do not equate to true equality.
The Peasant and the Apple Tree
In this simple short story with a moral, a peasant initially decides to cut down an unproductive apple tree, disregarding the pleas of the sparrows and grasshoppers that inhabit it. However, upon discovering a hive full of honey within the tree, he realizes its hidden value and chooses to care for it instead. This uplifting moral story illustrates how self-interest can transform one's perspective on seemingly useless things, making it a concise moral story for quick reads.
The Self-Made Monkey
In this short moral tale, a humble man in a high political office boasts about being a self-made man to a Monkey he encounters in the forest. The Monkey challenges his claim by demonstrating self-creation in a humorous way, ultimately conveying that merely being self-made does not constitute true achievement. This meaningful story imparts a simple lesson about the distinction between self-creation and genuine accomplishment, highlighting the value of humility and recognition of true merit.
Other names for this story
The Loyal Heir, A Son's Promise, The Millionaire's Dilemma, Pride and Duty, A Visit of Love, The Insured Legacy, A Father's Love, The Caring Millionaire
Did You Know?
This story explores the themes of familial obligation and the complex nature of relationships, suggesting that wealth can create emotional distance even in close family ties, as the millionaire's visit is motivated by financial gain rather than genuine affection.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.