The Three Brothers
Once upon a time, in a quaint little village nestled between the rolling hills and the deep, dark forest, there lived three brothers: Clem, Fred, and Tom. They were inseparable, sharing all things in common, and growing up together in the warmth of their loving parents’ home.
The Gift of Land
As they grew older, their father, a wise and just man, decided it was time for his sons to inherit his land. He divided the land into three equal parts and gave each brother a parcel, wishing them prosperity and happiness.
The Promise of Wealth
“But,” their father warned, “the land will not yield its riches to those who do not work it. Be diligent, my sons, and you shall reap the rewards.”
The Path of Idleness
Clem, Fred, and Tom, settling into their new lives, quickly found that the thrill of ownership was far outweighed by the reality of responsibility. Days blended into weeks, with the trio choosing to chase the winds of leisure rather than the fruits of labor. Their tools gathered dust, and the fields lay bare as they filled their hours with games and stories, believing tomorrow always held the promise of a fresh start.
The Consequences of Idleness
But tomorrow grew into months, and the land beneath their feet turned wild and untamed. Neighboring farms flourished, painting a stark contrast to the barrenness that had claimed the brothers’ shares. Visitors no longer stopped by, deterred by the thorns and brambles that crept ever closer to the brothers’ doorstep. Poverty knocked, its presence growing stronger with each season’s turn, as the harsh truth settled in: they had all but squandered their inheritance.
The Envy of the Neighbors
Whispers began to weave through the village, casting shadows of disdain and judgment. “A waste,” some said, shaking their heads as they passed by the neglected plots of land. Others, feeling a mix of pity and scorn, wondered aloud how three able-bodied men could let such potential wither away. The brothers, once admired for their bond and cheer, now faced the community’s growing resentment. Their idleness had not only cost them their prosperity but also their place among their peers.
The Dream
Under the moon’s gentle glow, Clem, Fred, and Tom found their sleep invaded by visions unlike any before. In these dreams, a figure emerged from the shadows—an old man whose wisdom seemed as deep as the stars above. His beard, white as snow, flowed like a river, and his eyes sparkled with a light that seemed to pierce right through the darkness of night. “Listen well,” he whispered, his voice carrying the weight of ages, “for this dream is a gift and a warning.”
The Warning
“This land, your inheritance, has laid barren under your watch,” the old man continued, his gaze never wavering. “Your neighbors, through sweat and toil, have found fortune and favor with the earth. Meanwhile, you have let the gift of your father turn to dust. If you do not heed this warning, misery shall be your only companion, and the village will know you no more.” With that, the figure faded, leaving the brothers in a restless sleep, pondering the gravity of his words.
The Resolution
As dawn broke, Clem, Fred, and Tom rose with the sun, their hearts heavy but their spirits ignited. “No longer shall we be slaves to idleness,” they declared, each brother’s determination fueling the others. They set out at once, each taking up tools long neglected, their hands ready to work the soil, to bring life back to their land. “Together, we shall turn the tide,” they vowed, knowing the road ahead would be long but willing to walk it nonetheless.
The Rewards of Hard Work
Seasons changed, and with them, the brothers’ fortunes. Fields once choked by weeds are now brimmed with golden wheat and lush vegetables. Trees, barren for so many years, now offered fruit in abundance. Neighbors watched in awe, their envy replaced by admiration. “See what diligence brings,” they said, lending their hands in friendship and support. Clem, Fred, and Tom, once known as sluggards, had proven through their toil that true wealth comes not from the ground, but from the heart’s willingness to work it.
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