There once were two brothers, the oldest brother John and his younger brother Sam. They were as close as two brothers could be. John was strong, smart and respectable. Sam grew up and became intelligent and clever but lazy. Sam always envied his brother. He loved John but he wanted so badly to be more like him and eventually better than him. John worked hard and earned his living. John had his dog, his money, and his job. Sam stole or cheated to survive. Sam owed lots of money he didn’t have to some very dangerous people. Looking for help, Sam turned to his brother. He pleaded with his brother to give him money.
“O brother of mine, I am on the edge of the end. Could you please lend me some money?” John, of course, could not turn down his beloved younger brother.
“Here Sam, take my money; it means little to me without you.” Sam paid his debt but needed a steady job. He could not find a single person who would hire him. Sam went to his brother in desperation and asked,
“O brother of mine, I cannot keep myself together and I have no means to provide for myself. Would you please give me your job?” Sam knew his brother would give him what he wanted. Sam was so clever. John said,
“Here Sam, take my job; it means little to me without you.” John gave his brother his job. Now Sam was not a hard worker and was having trouble with his new job and also needed a place to stay. Sam went to his brother and asked,
“O brother of mine, I am without shelter and I do not want to sleep in the streets. Could I please stay with you?” John smiled and said,
“Here Sam, take my spare bed; it means little to me without you.” Sam, John and John’s dog lived together for a while. Sam was still jealous of his brother and his dog. Sam deceived his brother, worked his brother’s job, lived in his house, ate his food wore his clothes and fed his dog. John could no longer afford to live in his own house or feed his own dog. John walked out of his own home and kept going for miles and miles in search of work. John seemed to disappear. Sam was happy and content. He had a dog to love him, some money a house and a job. Sam’s job did not last long. He was lazy and selfish. Soon Sam had no money left. When all Sam’s money was gone, his house followed and then his dog. Sam once again had nothing. Sam lived on the streets. Sam was in an alleyway one night across from a quiet bum. The man was unshaven, underfed, and had eyes as black as coal. Dirt and grime covered the hobo’s face and twisted through his mangled hair. The hobo slept peacefully. Sam watched the hobo as he shivered next to him. Feeling so alone, Sam began to cry. The hobo, upon hearing the crying, awoke and saw Sam. He got up, moved to Sam and placed his own jacket around him. Sam was warm. The hobo opened his mouth and said, “Here Sam, take my jacket; it means little to me without you.” Sam looked up into the hobo’s coal eyes and realized they were his brother John’s eyes. He began to weep softly understanding what he did to his brother. John sat down next to Sam and wrapped his arm around him. After all Sam did and all Sam took, he could never take away the most important thing John had. Sam realized he could never take away John’s love for him. The End.
