The Bad News is Time Flies, The Good News is You are the Pilot

A king having three sons was one the verge of retirement. He thought that all his three sons are equally suitable for the chair of King after his retirement. All three were mentally and physically strong. He wanted to offer the throne only to the best one of three.

He goes to a sage and asks him for an advice that can help him get out of the confusion. The sage advised him to give equal amount of seeds to each son and ask them to take care of the seeds until he comes back from a pilgrimage after one year. After coming back he would take the seeds back.

The king follows sage’s advice and does the same. He also told his sons that this is a kind of test, if you fail you would not be eligible for the king’s throne.

First Son’s Act

First son was very cunning and he thought it’s not easy to secure the seeds for one year. What if some mouse eats them? So, he decides to sell the seeds in market and keep the money safe instead of seeds as it is easier to keep money safer than seeds. After one year just before his father returns, he would purchase seeds of same flower from market and show them to his father.

Second Son’s Act

Second son took the directions of his father literally and without giving it much thought, he just purchased a safe from market and kept the seeds inside the safe and the key of safe remains with him for one year. This way no rat or insect would be able to eat the seeds and when father returns he would just open the safe and give the seeds back to his father.

Third Son’s Act

Third son thought that the only way to keep the seeds safe is to sow them. This would give the seeds a new life and the number of seeds would also grow. So, he dig few pots in their garden and kept seeds inside those pots. Also, he took utmost care of the seeds by giving them water and manure from time to time till one year.

Returning of the King

When the king return, he asked all the sons to give him back the seeds that he gave them. The first son could not produce them as the seeds of that flower were not available in the market at that moment because of heavy demand and less supply.

Looking at this, second son smirked inside him and opened the safe using the key that he kept secure. But, as soon as he opened the safe, to his surprise, all seeds had rotten and stinking to an extend that he could not even keep the safe open.

When third son was asked about seeds, he took his father to the garden and told him that the seeds that he gave him are no more seeds, they have grown to become plants. He then plucked some flowers and gave his father seeds taken out of those flowers saying that these seeds have the same DNA of the seeds given by you.

The King was now able to take a clear decision in his mind about which son he would offer the throne.

Interpretation of the Story

The King here represents God who has given a 24 hours (seeds) to all his sons (us). It is up to us if we would sell that time for some money (comfort) or keep them safe (by doing nothing) or investing them in learning new skills that would give you more resources (For example, by learning management or leadership you can learn to delegate your work to earn more time).

Moral of the Story

We all have 24 hours with us everyday. Invest these hours carefully by giving thought on returns.