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89. THREE SONS OF A MERCHANT
A merchant who wanted to decide the question of who should inherit his property and money settled it in the following way.
He gave a thousand coins to each one of his three sons to try their fortune with and come back home after a period of three years. Accordingly, the three sons left their home for different towns. One of them kept himself away from any of the vices like gambling, drinking, women and such other things and established himself in the business that he had taken up for. He did not even care for good food and clothing. As a result of this industrious and simple way of life, he multiplied his capital considerably. The second one managed to keep his capital in tact but spent all the profit on eating good food, expensive clothing and such other fashionable things. In the process, he even neglected some part of his business. However he managed to keep himself a float. The third son chose to remain totally idle. He spent out all the money he had received from his father on drinks and women, fashionable living and gambling. After three years, they all went back home.
The father appointed the one who had squandered all his capital and did nothing to improve his way of life merely as a servant in the house. He appointed the second son, who was only careful with his capital but showed no other talent to increase it nor any inclination to charity was put in charge of the domestic chores only whereas the one who had increased his fortune through his managerial ability was made the master of the house and of all other property.
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