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A Tale Of Choices
#WritcoStoryPrompt96
It's not about having a lot of stuff or having a lot of money to be rich. It all comes down to how you live your life. Come up with a tale to go along with it.
This is a tale my father used to tell me when I was just a little girl. It made a huge impact on the choices I made in life...
A long time ago in a small village there lived a widow with two sons. They were only two years apart in age and loved their mother very much. They were not a very rich family and when the widow's husband passed away, they were in a very bad financial state. The eldest son, 20 years of age at the time, had just started his new career as a admin clerk for a big insurance company, the youngest son, 18 years old had just finished his final year in High School.
He had at this point not decided what he wanted to do or be and therefor did odd jobs, bartending, waiter,etc. The eldest son, his name was Juan, was hardworking, strict, responsible and hated the poverty his family was in. He was ashamed of their financial state and sometimes in a fit of rage would blame his parents for not making better provision. He started climbing the corporate ladder fast and made remarkable progress. He began making alot of money. But he was greedy and harsh. To a point where he became so wrapped up in his success, that he forgot his roots and how hard his parents did try to give him the means to be great. He became heartless and cold, moved out of his mother's house, leaving his mother and younger brother to fend for themselves. He decided that day when he moved out, that he would never suffer financially again and never look back to this chapter of his life. He forgot about his family and lived his life in luxury, over indulgence, selfishness and greed.
Rico, the younger of the two, saw his brother's choices and vowed he would look after his mother as long as he lived.
Rico being impulsive, spontaneous, friendly and caring, did alot of different jobs as time passed. He was never bound to one career and was a jack of all trades but a master of none. Regardless, he still looked after his mother and tried to help people in town even if he did not make alot of money. He was kind, he was caring and he would give all he had to others before thinking about himself. He never hesitated when asked for help, and was always willing to try even if he knew he might not be able to.
Years have passed and the widow became old and sickly...Rico taking care of his mother and her needs all the time was sitting next to her death bead, holding her old wrinkly fragile hand, his heart broken with the idea of losing his loving mother. Rico had no ill mannered characteristics and therefor held no grudge against Juan, so when his mother was very ill, he knew that he must let Juan know so that he could come and say goodbye. Rico made the call, but he was devastated by his brother's response. "How is her dying my problem? If you want money for her funeral or debt, I am not going to pay a cent!!" he screamed into the telephone before slamming it down in Rico's ear. Not giving him a chance to say a word.
The widow passed away without Juan ever coming to see her or attend her funeral. Rico, being devoted and loyal to his mother, had made plan for a proper buriel, and continued to visit his mother's grave atleast once a week. Always taking a dozen red roses, as they were her favorite flowers. Rico lived his life without having money, cars, gold and glamour, but he was humble, kind, caring, and loyal. So more time passed and Rico and Juan both grew old, Juan eventually married a woman and had a son with her, they later got divorced and she remarried. Leaving Juan to take care of their at the time 5 year old son, Mario. Rico never married not have children but he had so many friends that filled his time, he was content.
One day, when Rico was a old man of 75 years, he recieved a call from a man, informing him that his brother Juan has become very ill, and that he is on his death bed. Rico did not think twice, he quickly packed a bag and called a taxi to take him to the adress the man gave him on the phone. Hid brother's house. After a long tiring trip, the taxi pulled into at what looked like a palace to Rico front gate...
Rico paid the driver, picked up his bag and walked to the front door, hesitantly knocking. A sophisticated man, dressed in exspensive attire, introduced himself as "Charles,The Butler" and invited Rico to follow him to the sitting room while he calls Sir Mario.
Rico still speechless about all this lavish and luxury, looked up as a tall, dark, handsome man entered the room. This man was about 35 years of age, but the spitting image of Rico's brother Juan.
Mario introduced himself to his uncle, with the same humble, kind, caring nature as his uncle's. Rico grabbed the younger man by the shoulders as he hugged him, tears of joy, amazement and sadness all ran down his face.
Later after a long talk, Mario took Rico to go and see his ill brother. Rico entered the bedroom and saw Juan in a crisp white bed. His skin yellow and his eyes dazed and bloodshot, his breathing heavy and his posture so small from the illness taking it's toll. Juan's eyes lit up when he saw Rico and a smile however weak settled on his mouth. He held his hand out, and without hesitation, Rico grabbed it and held it. Both brothers staring at each other, crying. Juan spoke first, he had trouble so Rico leaned close to hear him..."Brother!!R..Rico..Mm..My Ri..Rico! I missed you. E..everyday...I..I mis..missed you. I am dy..dying and hop..hoped to..t.to..se you again, Ri....Rico, I re..re..realised my mistakes and wa...way of life was wrong when my wife left. I vowed to raise my son, to be like y...you. For I had money, cars, riches...but was lo...lonely and angry and sel...selfish. You had so little, but gave so much to every...everyone that knows you. I...I am proud Mario takes af...after you, my...my pride kept me from you, but my son will have t..t..the honor to know you. I love you Rico" He managed to finish his speech with great difficulty, and just before Juan closed his eyes for the final time, he smiled as he heard Rico whisper "I love you Juan, your son will be my own".
So you see my friends, not even all the riches and glamour in this world can save you from death, loneliness and self loathing. It is never about your bank balance when asked if you are rich, it's about your actions and choices...Because I personally, will rather be poor and help the world be a better place, than have money and be the reason this world needs to be better.
© Lolla Smith
It's not about having a lot of stuff or having a lot of money to be rich. It all comes down to how you live your life. Come up with a tale to go along with it.
This is a tale my father used to tell me when I was just a little girl. It made a huge impact on the choices I made in life...
A long time ago in a small village there lived a widow with two sons. They were only two years apart in age and loved their mother very much. They were not a very rich family and when the widow's husband passed away, they were in a very bad financial state. The eldest son, 20 years of age at the time, had just started his new career as a admin clerk for a big insurance company, the youngest son, 18 years old had just finished his final year in High School.
He had at this point not decided what he wanted to do or be and therefor did odd jobs, bartending, waiter,etc. The eldest son, his name was Juan, was hardworking, strict, responsible and hated the poverty his family was in. He was ashamed of their financial state and sometimes in a fit of rage would blame his parents for not making better provision. He started climbing the corporate ladder fast and made remarkable progress. He began making alot of money. But he was greedy and harsh. To a point where he became so wrapped up in his success, that he forgot his roots and how hard his parents did try to give him the means to be great. He became heartless and cold, moved out of his mother's house, leaving his mother and younger brother to fend for themselves. He decided that day when he moved out, that he would never suffer financially again and never look back to this chapter of his life. He forgot about his family and lived his life in luxury, over indulgence, selfishness and greed.
Rico, the younger of the two, saw his brother's choices and vowed he would look after his mother as long as he lived.
Rico being impulsive, spontaneous, friendly and caring, did alot of different jobs as time passed. He was never bound to one career and was a jack of all trades but a master of none. Regardless, he still looked after his mother and tried to help people in town even if he did not make alot of money. He was kind, he was caring and he would give all he had to others before thinking about himself. He never hesitated when asked for help, and was always willing to try even if he knew he might not be able to.
Years have passed and the widow became old and sickly...Rico taking care of his mother and her needs all the time was sitting next to her death bead, holding her old wrinkly fragile hand, his heart broken with the idea of losing his loving mother. Rico had no ill mannered characteristics and therefor held no grudge against Juan, so when his mother was very ill, he knew that he must let Juan know so that he could come and say goodbye. Rico made the call, but he was devastated by his brother's response. "How is her dying my problem? If you want money for her funeral or debt, I am not going to pay a cent!!" he screamed into the telephone before slamming it down in Rico's ear. Not giving him a chance to say a word.
The widow passed away without Juan ever coming to see her or attend her funeral. Rico, being devoted and loyal to his mother, had made plan for a proper buriel, and continued to visit his mother's grave atleast once a week. Always taking a dozen red roses, as they were her favorite flowers. Rico lived his life without having money, cars, gold and glamour, but he was humble, kind, caring, and loyal. So more time passed and Rico and Juan both grew old, Juan eventually married a woman and had a son with her, they later got divorced and she remarried. Leaving Juan to take care of their at the time 5 year old son, Mario. Rico never married not have children but he had so many friends that filled his time, he was content.
One day, when Rico was a old man of 75 years, he recieved a call from a man, informing him that his brother Juan has become very ill, and that he is on his death bed. Rico did not think twice, he quickly packed a bag and called a taxi to take him to the adress the man gave him on the phone. Hid brother's house. After a long tiring trip, the taxi pulled into at what looked like a palace to Rico front gate...
Rico paid the driver, picked up his bag and walked to the front door, hesitantly knocking. A sophisticated man, dressed in exspensive attire, introduced himself as "Charles,The Butler" and invited Rico to follow him to the sitting room while he calls Sir Mario.
Rico still speechless about all this lavish and luxury, looked up as a tall, dark, handsome man entered the room. This man was about 35 years of age, but the spitting image of Rico's brother Juan.
Mario introduced himself to his uncle, with the same humble, kind, caring nature as his uncle's. Rico grabbed the younger man by the shoulders as he hugged him, tears of joy, amazement and sadness all ran down his face.
Later after a long talk, Mario took Rico to go and see his ill brother. Rico entered the bedroom and saw Juan in a crisp white bed. His skin yellow and his eyes dazed and bloodshot, his breathing heavy and his posture so small from the illness taking it's toll. Juan's eyes lit up when he saw Rico and a smile however weak settled on his mouth. He held his hand out, and without hesitation, Rico grabbed it and held it. Both brothers staring at each other, crying. Juan spoke first, he had trouble so Rico leaned close to hear him..."Brother!!R..Rico..Mm..My Ri..Rico! I missed you. E..everyday...I..I mis..missed you. I am dy..dying and hop..hoped to..t.to..se you again, Ri....Rico, I re..re..realised my mistakes and wa...way of life was wrong when my wife left. I vowed to raise my son, to be like y...you. For I had money, cars, riches...but was lo...lonely and angry and sel...selfish. You had so little, but gave so much to every...everyone that knows you. I...I am proud Mario takes af...after you, my...my pride kept me from you, but my son will have t..t..the honor to know you. I love you Rico" He managed to finish his speech with great difficulty, and just before Juan closed his eyes for the final time, he smiled as he heard Rico whisper "I love you Juan, your son will be my own".
So you see my friends, not even all the riches and glamour in this world can save you from death, loneliness and self loathing. It is never about your bank balance when asked if you are rich, it's about your actions and choices...Because I personally, will rather be poor and help the world be a better place, than have money and be the reason this world needs to be better.
© Lolla Smith
