One day a busy father had just returned home after a long and busy day at work. His son came to him and asked, “Daddy, may I ask you a question?”
The father said, “Sure, what is your question?”
His son asked, “Dad, how much do you make an hour?”
The father got a bit upset and said, “That’s none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?”
The son replied, “I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?”
So, the father told him, “I make $75 per hour.”
“Oh”, the young boy replied with his head down. Looking up, he said, “Dad, may I please borrow $50?”
The father answered in an angry tone, “If the only reason you asked about my pay is so that you could have some money to buy a silly toy or for some other nonsense, then march yourself up to your room and go to bed. Think how selfish you are being. I work hard every day for what I earn, and I do not like this childish and selfish behavior.”
The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door. The man sat down and started to get even angrier as he thought about his son’s questions. “How dare he ask such questions only to get some money!” the father thought.
After an hour or so, the father had calmed down and started to re-think the situation. “Maybe there was something his son really needed to buy with that $50.00; he really didn’t ask for money very often!”
The man went to his son’s room and opened the door. “Are you sleeping, son?” he asked. “No daddy, I’m awake,” replied the boy.
“I’ve been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier,” said the father. “It’s been a long day, and I apologize for taking out my aggravation on you. Here’s the $50 you asked for.”
The little boy sat straight up in bed, and with a big smilie said, “Oh thank you, Dad!” he yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some other crumpled bills of money. The little boy slowly counted out all the money, and then looked up at his father.
The father, seeing that the boy already had some money, started to get upset again. He said angrily, “Why do you want more money, if you already had some?”
“Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do,” the little boy replied. “Daddy, I have $75.00. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to play catch and then have dinner with you!”
The father was dumbstruck. Not knowing what else to say, he hugged his son and told him he was really looking forward to their time together the next day.
- Author Unknown
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Moral: This story is just a short reminder to all who work long and hard hours in life! Do not let time slip through your fingers without having spent quality time with those who really matter to you…those closest to your heart.
If you would die tomorrow, the company that you are working for would easily replace you in a matter of days. But, the family and friends you would leave behind would feel the loss of your love and companionship for the rest of their lives.
Don’t give more of yourself to your work than you give to your family.
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Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him. Psalm 127:3 NLT
Parents are the pride of their children. Proverbs 17:6b NLT
Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. Proverbs 22:6 NLT
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If you liked this story and would like a copy of either of my books,
they are available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle format:
If you have a story or testimony that you think might bless others,
I invite you to send it by email to me (Kenneth Kersey) at godsotherways@me.com.
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