The Difference in Thinking

---

Once, a father and his son were traveling by water. Suddenly, they lost their way, and their boat drifted toward an unfamiliar area with two small islands nearby. Unfortunately, their boat broke apart near those islands.

The father told his son,
“Looks like our final moments have come. There’s no help in sight.”

Suddenly, the father had an idea.
He said, “Since the end seems near anyway, let us both pray to God.”

They divided the islands—one for the father, one for the son—and began to pray separately.

The son prayed,
“Oh Lord, please grow trees and plants here so I can eat fruits and survive.”
Immediately, trees sprouted, and fruits appeared. He was amazed.

Then he prayed,
“Lord, send a beautiful woman here so I may start a family.”
A beautiful woman appeared instantly.

Now confident that all his wishes were being granted, he prayed again:
“Please send a boat so I can leave this island.”
A boat appeared, and the son prepared to leave.

Just then, a divine voice echoed:
“Son, are you leaving alone? Won’t you take your father along?”

The son replied,
“Leave him! He also prayed, but nothing was granted to him. Maybe his heart wasn’t pure enough. Let him face the consequences.”

The divine voice responded,
“Do you even know what your father prayed for?”

The son said,
“No.”

The voice then revealed:
“Your father made just one prayer—
‘O Lord, whatever my son asks for, please give it to him. I cannot bear to see him suffer. If death must come, let it come to me first.’
Everything you’ve received is the fruit of his prayers.”

The son was filled with deep shame and guilt.

---

Moral:
Often, the comforts, success, fame, wealth, and joy we enjoy in life are the result of someone else’s silent prayers and sacrifices—especially those of our parents. But blinded by ego and pride, we mistake them for our own achievements. By the time we realize the truth, it’s often too late.

We can never truly repay our parents’ debt.
A father is one who always wishes to see his child rise higher than himself.
But sadly, many sons begin to see their parents as a burden.

So always help those in need and never forget who silently stands behind your success.

---

Stay happy always – What you have is enough.
One who is content in heart, has everything in life.