Another Prodigal Son

Another Prodigal Son

Once there was a very rich man, but due to his wealth, his son became lazy and did not know how to earn money. This used to trouble his father and he lost sleep wondering what his son would do when he died. As the father grew older, he became more worried, as his son did not seem to change. He had a feeling that after he passed away, his son would end up spending all his inheritance and selling the house.

The father, filled with disappointment and anxiety, decided to do something about it. He made a black, warm jacket for himself and wore it every day until it was old and worn out. He told his son, "My son, when I die and if you end up selling everything, only promise me that you will not sell this jacket that you will inherit." His son agreed, but soon after his father passed away, and just as his father had anticipated, he quickly ended up spending all of his inheritance. When that was depleted, he sold the house and spent all the money.

Left in poverty with only the old jacket and the clothes he wore, his friends finally deserted him, too. Homeless he walked the streets and begged for his survival. One day while lying down he felt something poking into him, causing discomfort. He thought it was something on the ground, but nothing was there. He checked the pocket of his jacket and it was empty. But he realized that something was tucked into the lining of the jacket. He opened the lining and found a gem that his father had kept for him. He was overjoyed and humbled that his father had given him a second chance. He sold the gem and used the money wisely to buy a house, start a business, and eventually share his good fortune.

Buddha said all of us are like destitute sons. We too have inherited great wealth but are not aware of it. Like the son, we are wandering around like the homeless and thinking we are poor. We have treasures of enlightenment, joy, understanding, and love inside us. All we have to do is look within, rediscover our hidden gems, and allow them to manifest and enrich our lives.

(Parable adapted from a book by Thich Nhat Hanh.)

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