Chapter 3
The Three Brothers
The three brothers never got along. Their personalities were like night and day. The eldest brother, Michael was the quiet one. He only spoke when he felt it was necessary. The second brother, Patrick was the smart one. He studied all the time. The youngest brother, Thomas was the adventurous one. He wasn't afraid of anything. Ever since they were young, they always competed with one another. Their father, Mr. Hayes, a retired army general, raised them that way. He wanted his boys to be tough. However, what started out as friendly competition among brothers turned into fierce rivalry which drove them to selfishness.
After the brothers graduated from school, they went their separate ways. Michael became a teacher, Patrick a banker, and Thomas an artist. They did not keep in touch with one another. Then one day, Mr. Hayes fell very ill and he called his sons to his house. Lying in bed, he said in a weak voice, "My dear sons, when a man is at the end of his life, he looks back on his life and asks the question, "Did I live a good life?" As you know, I have been an honest and hardworking man. However, I feel that I have made one mistake. I need you to help me right that wrong." Michael said, "What is it, father?" Mr. Hayes answered, "Because I was so busy working all the time, I have never had time to show you and teach you love. My last wish is that you three get along. In order to teach you the importance of family, I have prepared a great treasure for you. But you can only get the treasure after you learn the meaning of brotherly love. I leave you with these three words. Love one another." Then Mr. Hayes took his final breath.
They buried Mr. Hayes the next morning. Thomas said to his brothers, "Maybe we should get together some time...." Patrick replied, "What for? We've lived all this time apart." Thomas looked at Michael for help. Michael looked like he was going to say something but he walked away silently. Then the three brothers parted ways once again.
The following week, each of the three brothers received a letter from Mr. Hayes. Michael's letter read, "My beloved son Michael, The treasure travels around the world. Love your brothers." Patrick's letter was the same, except for the treasure part. It read, "The treasure is in a corner." Thomas' letter read, "You can't eat the treasure, but many have tasted it." All three brothers wanted to find the treasure for themselves. They did not tell one another about the letter. Michael thought to himself, "My father must be talking about an airplane." He looked everywhere in his father's airplane, but could not find anything. Patrick searched every corner of his father's house but could not find anything. Thomas looked everywhere in the kitchen, but nothing turned up. After months of searching, the three brothers finally gave up.
Five years after the death of Mr. Hayes, an economic crisis hit the land and all three brothers were left penniless. They were all married by then and were having a very difficult time. Still, they did not contact one another. It was not that they did not love one another or did not want to keep their father's last wish. It was pure pride, the destroyer of all men. Still, as time often works its magic, the hearts of the brothers were beginning to open up.
On the tenth anniversary of Mr. Hayes' death, Michael as always, paid a visit to his father's grave. He brought his daughter, Sally with him that year. Michael noticed that Patrick and Thomas were there with their families also. The brothers looked at one another but did not know what to do. Then an interesting thing happened. Michael's daughter, Sally asked Patrick's son, Albert and Thomas' son, Chris, "What are you doing in front of my grandfather's grave?" Albert and Chris both answered, "This is my grandfather's grave." The three children began to call one another names and fought about whose grave it was.
Sometimes, all it takes is the purity and innocence of children to break down walls built by grown men. Michael said to his brothers, "I'm sorry for not being a more caring big brother. I was busy trying to set a good example." Patrick said, "I'm sorry for being a poor brother. I just felt left out being the middle child." Thomas said. "I'm sorry for being such a baby. I just wanted some attention as the youngest." Tears welled up in their eyes and soon they were in one another's arms crying. They promised to help and take care of one another from then on.
That day at dinner, Michael mentioned the letter. Patrick said, "Me, too. I got a letter, too." Thomas shouted, "So did I!" They shared the clues with one another.
They were puzzled. The clues did not make any sense. Thomas thought that the treasure was some kind of food. He asked, "What kind of food goes around the world?" Michael said, "Maybe it's not food." Patrick said, "Let's put the clues together. The treasure travels around the world, but is in a corner. And it can't be eaten, but many have tasted it. What can it be?" Patrick said, "Maybe it's a letter. A letter goes around the world." Thomas said, "Good answer. But you can't taste a letter." At that moment, Patrick exclaimed, "I got it! It's a stamp!" Thomas answered, "You're right! A stamp can be sent around the world, but it is in the corner of an envelope." Michael added, "Of course. You lick a stamp to stick it on but you can't eat it."
The three brothers quickly retrieved their father's letters. All three letters had the same stamp on the envelope. The brothers took the stamps to an expert. In disbelief, the expert said, "Where did you get these? These are very rare! Only 100 were ever produced and most of them were lost or destroyed in a fire. These are priceless!" Then the three brothers realized that the stamps were the treasure. The three brothers rejoiced. Were they happy about being rich? Of course. But what they were happiest about was discovering the true treasure that their father had left them: Brotherly love.
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