retelling

I have been thinking about this because of my class. Let me know what you think...


Once upon a time in a small Wisconsin town there was a business man who had two sons. One day the younger son, knowing that someday he would receive part of all that his father owned, walked up to his father and said, “I wish that you were dead and I would like right now, all that I will someday receive and not wait any longer”
The father amazingly granted this request and gave the younger son what he asked for.
A few days later the younger son decided to leave and seek a life that was far more exciting then the one he was having at home. So he took all that he had which as a lot for someone his age, boarded a bus and left to find fame and fortune in New York City. Up until this point he had never been there but had heard marvelous stories of beautiful women, wild parties and good times any time, of any day.
When he arrived in New York he was not disappointed. He soon found other people like himself who loved to party and together they got their own apartment. He had never had such a good time drinking, experimenting with drugs, bringing home women and spending money without restraint.
However, this time did not last. After a few short and wild months his bank account soon began to run low. He was shocked one day when he came to pay rent and no longer had enough. He looked to his friends to help cover the cost but the once so friendly group no longer wanted anything to do with this now broke loser. He soon found himself living on the streets.
He looked for a job anywhere he could just so that he could make enough to eat. Due to a difficult time in the economy and his lack of skills he was unable to find work anywhere. Time and time again potential employers shut the door in his face. Finally out of absolute desperation, he found himself working as a male prostitute. This is something we would have never thought he could sink to and he was constantly disgusted with himself.
One night as fall was turning to winter and he was shivering under newspapers that he had found in a nearby trash can, a thought struck him like a lightning bolt. His father back home had plenty of food for not only himself but the rest of the family and still had food to spare. He began to fondly remember the wonderful dinners they had all had together. He hoped that he might be able to be allowed to work for his father. He decided that very night that he would return home in hopes that he might be able to at least be allowed to eat and if he was lucky, receive a job.
It was at that point that an overwhelming sense of dread began to sink in. What if his father rejected him? How could he ever be forgiven for what he had done? He started to plan out what he would say but the perfect words would not come. He rehearsed over and over what he would say to his father but still words failed him. He was sorry and he had wronged both his father and God in Heaven. He knew he was no longer worthy of even being a son but was willing to work for his father instead.
He bought a bus ticket with all he had left and began the long journey home. Time and time again he played out how things would turn out when he got home. None of the possible situations that played out in his head were good.
When he finally got back to his hometown he walked off the bus feeling sick, every step was difficult. There were no taxis in his town but luckily the walk from the bus stop to his home was a short one. As he turned the corner to his street he was shocked with what he saw.
His father, who had somehow seen him from the front window of his home, was running down the street in only his bathrobe! His hands were outstretched and he had the hugest smile the boy had ever seen. As the father came up to him the boy began his speech. “Dad I am sorry. I have wronged you…” But his father cut him off with a bear hug that took his breath away. The father called back to the house, “Come bring my son new clothes and something hot to drink. Also call all the neighbors and tell them we are going to have a party tonight. Let’s have a barbeque like this block has never seen before. For my son was dead but is now alive. He was lost but now is found.” So that evening they had a wonderful party.
However, the older son returned home from a hard days work. As he walked towards the house he heard the celebration going on so he asked a neighbor, “What is going on?” The neighbor responded, “Your brother has returned home and your father is throwing a party.”
The older brother was angry and refused to even walk into the house. So the father came out of the house and begged him to join them. But the son responded, “Come on! All these years I have served you without complaint and what do I get in return? Not even a small party for me and my closest friends. Yet your son comes back after living as a fool and a sinner and you throw him a huge party! This is not fair.”
The father responded, “Son you know that all I have is yours but we had to have this party and celebrate because your brother was dead but is now alive. He was lost but is now found. Please come and join the celebration”