The Farmer and his Sons
Mr. Thompson has three sons, David, James, and Peter.He is a very diligent man.He works in his grape fields all day.But, his three sons are all very lazy. Mr. Thompson is always worried about them.
Farmer:David, can you help me in the field today?
I need your help.I can’t work alone.
David:But Father, it is too hot outside.
I am too tired today.
Besides,I am the eldest.
Ask James to help you.
Farmer:You are always tired, David.
David lies down on his bed to rest. Mr. Thompson calls his second son, James.
Farmer:James!What are you doing now?
I need your help in the field today.
I can’t work alone.
James:I’m sorry, Father.I’m busy today.
I’ll help you tomorrow.Ask Peter.
Farmer:You are always busy,James.
James pretends to be busy. Mr. Thompson calls Peter, his youngest son.
Farmer:Hey, Peter!Are you busy now?
Peter:Not really, Father.
Farmer:Are you going out somewhere today?
Peter:No, Father. Why do you ask?
Farmer:Well then, help me in the field.
I need your help.I can’t work alone.
Peter makes up an excuse.
Peter:I would like to help you, Father.
But I am not feeling well today.
I have a headache.
Farmer:Not again!
The last time, you had a stomachache.
Mr. Thompson goes out to the field alone in the hot sun. He works all day while his three sons do nothing. His neighbors see him.
Wife:Look, dear!It’s Mr. Thompson
He is working alone again.
Neighbor:Where are all his three sons?
Wife:Didn’t you know, dear?
They are the laziest boys in the world.
They never work.
Neighbor:Really?
That’s too bad. Poor Mr. Thompson.
Mr. Thompson worked hard all his life.Finally, he gets very sick and cannot work anymore.He is about to die.
Farmer:What will happen to my three sons
after I die?
They will starve to death for sure.
How can I change them?
Mr. Thompson cannot stop worrying about his three sons even in bed.He thinks and thinks.An idea comes to his mind.He calls his three sons.
Farmer:My dear sons, David, James, and Peter,
I love you all.
But I cannot live for long.
So when I die,
take care of my grape fields for me.
That’s my last wish.
David:But Father,I am not interested in grapes.
James:I don’t want to work under the sun all day, Father.
Peter:I want to live in the city.
I don’t even like grapes, Father.
The three sons keep complaining, until Mr. Thompson tells them his secret
Farmer:But the three of you must keep the field.
I buried some treasure there.
Find it, dig it out, and share it together.
Sons:What did you say?
The three sons cannot believe their ears.
David:Did you say treasure?
When did you bury is, Father?
James:Are there lots of gold and silver pieces inside?
Peter:Those things are not important.
Sons:Then what is it?
Peter:Where is it?
David:Peter is right.
Where is the treasure buried, Father?
Farmer:I’m sorry, my sons.It was so long ago.
I do not remember.
Just keep digging and you shall find it.
Mr. Thompson dies a few days later. David, James, and Peter start digging for treasure the very next day.
Wife:Look, dear!
Aren’t they Mr. Thompson’s boys?
Neighbor:I think so, dear.But they have changed.
They are working so hard today.
Wife:I know.I can’t believe my eyes.
Mr. Thompson would be really happy.
The three brothers dig and dig, but they cannot find any treasure.
David:Where’s the treasure?
James:Perhaps, there isn’t any treasure.
Peter:That can’t be.
Father must have buried it very deep.
Let’s dig deeper.
David:Peter may be right.
The three sons keep digging and working in the field for months.It is now fall.
David:There is no treasure here.
James:We dug up the whole field for nothing.
Peter:But look, David and James!
Our field is filled with ripe grapes.
David:You are right!
James:Let’s sell the grapes.
The three brothers take the grapes to the market.Their grapes are the largest and sweetest among all the others.They become rich by selling the grapes.
Peter: Now I know.Treasure is everywhere.
David: Yes.If we work hard, we can always get it.
James: So that’s what Father was trying to tell us.
MORAL
Work hard and good fortune will always follow.
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