The Old Farmer And His Son

An aging farmer, too frail to work the fields, would spend his days quietly sitting on the porch, watching his son tend to the farm. Seeing his father idle day after day, the son grew frustrated, thinking, “He’s useless now; he doesn’t contribute anymore.”

Overcome by his irritation, the son decided to build a wooden coffin. He dragged it to the porch and told his father to climb in. Without a word, the father complied, laying down inside the box. The son closed the lid and began pulling the coffin toward the edge of a nearby cliff.

As he neared the drop, a faint tapping came from inside the coffin. Pausing, the son opened the lid. His father, lying there calmly, looked up and said, “I know you intend to throw me over, and if that’s your choice, so be it. But may I suggest one thing?”

Curious, the son asked, “What is it?”

The father replied, “Save this sturdy coffin. Your own children might need it someday.”

Moral of the story:

A parent’s love is boundless, enduring beyond their own life. Having children often deepens our compassion, binding us to care for our family, even when we’re no longer here.