Once upon a time, there was a man who had two sons. The younger son, feeling restless and eager for adventure, asked his father to give him his share of the inheritance. The father, with a heavy heart, divided his possessions and gave the younger son his portion. The young man then set off to a distant land, where he squandered all his wealth in wild living. He spent his days in parties and extravagance, until one day, he found himself with no money and no friends.
Meanwhile, a severe famine struck the land, and the young man began to suffer. He took a job feeding pigs, and he was so hungry that he longed to eat the pods the pigs were eating. No one showed him any kindness. In his desperation, he came to his senses and thought, “How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, while I am dying of hunger here! I will go back to my father and say, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.'”
So, he set off on the long journey home. As he approached his father’s house, his father saw him from a distance. Overwhelmed with compassion, he ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. The son began to confess, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father interrupted him, calling to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”
The elder son, who had been working in the fields, came home and heard the celebration. He was angry and refused to go in. His father came out to him and explained, “My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”
This story teaches us about the boundless love and forgiveness of a father, who always welcomes his children back with open arms, no matter how far they have strayed.