The fear of Retribution

As a kid (maybe 10 years old), I read a story titled "The fear of Retribution" and the story has stayed fresh in my mind till now. It is worth sharing and holds important lessons for today's generation. So here it goes (as much as I recall):

There was once a rich farmer, living in the state of Punjab. He had a wife and a son. They were quite a happy family and relatively well to do. The harvest from his agricultural lands was bountiful. The farmer was very fond of his son and took good care of him. As time went by, the son grew older. The time came when the farmer had to decide for his son's higher education. Without hesitation, the farmer mortgaged some of his land in order to raise money to send his son abroad for higher studies.

To support his son's expenses, the farmer sold more and more of his land but never once complained. In a few years his wife passed away and his son finally came back to stay with his father. The farmer's joy knew no bounds. He started preparing for his son's marriage and soon found a good match and married off his son.

For a while, everything was great. There was happiness all around. Soon, the Farmer's son had a son of his own. Unfortunately, with age, the farmer started keeping poor health. His health failing, body not as strong as it used to be, the eyesight weakening with time, the farmer was more and more dependent on his son. Meanwhile, the son's wife started disliking the farmer. The house, which was once spacious enough for them all, suddenly seemed small. Faced with constant bickering from his wife, the farmer's son moved his father to a small dark room in the corner of the house. The farmer and his grandson were however very good friends and would play together for hours at end.

A few more years passed by and the situation grew worse. The son's wife started complaining more and more and a point came where the son, being fed up with the constant stress and urging of his wife, makes a plan. He tells his father that he will be taking him (the farmer) on a pilgrimage. The farmer is very happy and his eyes well up with tears. He thanks God and looks forward to the next day.

Early next day, the son takes his father in the car to a remote jungle and abandons his father there and return home by sunset. His own son is eagerly waiting for their return and when he finds that his grandfather is not there, he is sad and inquires about the grandfather's whereabouts. His father evades a direct reply but the son is determined. Finally, his father confides that he has taken grandpa to the Jungle and left him there in the care of God. The little child does not say anything for a while and then finally asks his father about the exact place he had abandoned his father.

The father asks his son as to why he wants to know the exact place to which the little child replies: "Your father (grandpa) took good care of you and showered you with all the love and attention, spent a fortune on your education and made you as capable as you are. I notice that you love me too and take care of all my wishes. Now that grandpa is old and weak, you have decided to leave him in the care of god, I need to know where you left him so that when I grow up and you are old and weak, I can leave you in the care of god at the same place".

Hearing this, the child's father realizes his mistake and tears flow down his cheeks. He hugs his child and thanks him for opening his eyes. Despite protests from his wife, he rushes back to the forest where he had abandoned his own father, begs for forgiveness and brings him back to his house. He moves the farmer to the best room in the house, gives him the best clothes and food and from then on takes very good care of his needs and wants.

The moral of the story: Treat your parents with love and respect. They have given up their everything for you and in their old age, you need to take care of them.