A Dutiful Son
Once upon a time, there lived a faithful and loving son with his parents. He was very poor and earned money by cutting wood and selling them. During winters, one day when all the three were sitting near the fire a sudden gush of wind came through the cracks of the hut and the old man shivered. Immediately he said loudly, “how I wish I could get a drink of Sake’ (a drink of Japan). Then some warmth can come to my old bones.” The son heard it and felt sorry because he knew that Sake was a costly drink. Next day the son got up early in the morning to go to cut the wood. He went to the forest and started cutting wood. Today his axe did not stop as he was thinking of the wish of his father. It was nearly evening when he heard the sound of gushing water from nearby. As he was feeling hot and thirsty due to his hard work he decided to drink water and take little rest. He went near the source of water and drank a handful. Loo! It was not ordinary water; it was a stream of Sake. The son was amazed. He ran and filled his pitcher of water with it and took the bundle of wood. Then he hurried for his house with excitement.
When he reached home, he offered the drink to his old father. He drank it, danced a little, and blessed his son. That evening one of their neighbours came to their house. She was also offered the Sake. She drank it greedily and asked about the drink. The innocent son and father told her from where they got it. Soon the rumour spread throughout the village. That evening they had many visitors; all asked the same question and drank Sake greedily. By night, the pitcher of Sake was empty.
Next day the son got up early, took the biggest pitcher, and went toward the jungle, when he was nearing the place, he heard noise of people. He hid behind a rock and saw that all his neighbours were there with their big pitchers to carry the drink. Then a man out of greed drank a handful of Sake. He immediately shouted angrily, “It is just simple water not Sake. The old man’s son has cheated us.” All tasted the Sake (water) and were angry. The son remained hidden behind the rock because he knew in anger his neighbours could harm him. When all the people had gone, he went near the stream and drank a handful. It was the same drink, Sake. He understood that god had given him this gift, as he was a dutiful son. He filled the pitcher and went back home. That year his father lived warm and happy.
MORAL: God is considerate to those who respect and work hard for the needs of their parents.
