In distant, distant times, there lived a rich man, and he had two sons. The rich man suddenly fell ill. Before his death, he called his sons, divided the property between them and finally said:
- My dear sons! Always eat only tasty food. Never eat something that doesn't taste good!
Having said this, the father gave up the ghost. The youngest son, following his father’s behest, always ate only the most exquisite dishes and very soon squandered his entire fortune.
One day he heard that his older brother was getting married, and decided to go visit him.
“My brother,” the younger one turned to the older one when he saw that he was living in peace and prosperity, “do you remember your father’s testament?” I invariably followed him, ate only tasty food and, you see, I became completely poor. Why do you manage to prosper?
The elder brother answered him:
“I sacredly honor my father’s behest and eat only what is tasty, which is why I am becoming richer day by day.”
-What do you eat? – asked the younger brother.
“You’ll find out later,” answered the elder. - After all, today we will have lunch together.
And the brothers went to the field.
“Let’s work hard first, and then eat deliciously,” suggested the older brother.
The younger brother worked hard just like the older one. It's noon. And then he turned to the elder:
- My brother! Should we take a break, I'm really hungry.
“Okay,” he agreed. - Since you are tired and hungry, it’s time to stop working!
The brothers returned home and started eating. The younger one tasted rice and ngapi with seasonings, and the older one asked:
- Well, is it delicious?
“Very,” the younger one answers, “very tasty.”
- My brother! You misunderstood your father's will. Eating tasty does not mean eating tasty things. Father wanted to say that you should only eat when you are really hungry. And you can get really hungry only by working not out of fear, but out of conscience. Then any food will seem delicious. This is a simple, but smart thing: your work will benefit, and your money will be safe if you start eating simple food rather than pickles.
It was then that the younger brother comprehended the wisdom of his father’s will.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru