Church
bells rang in the distance, echoing over fields and trees. Delicately, Cardinal
Fratelli signed a cross upon his chest.
“That
reminds me…” he then said.
“What!”
the children collectively demanded.
“I
have another story to tell you: a story about two brothers.”
The
boys chimed, “Go on, go on, hurry!”
“There
once were two brothers, who lived in the country of Parma, who had an old,
dying father . Before he left this earthly life, the old father gave his two
sons one request: “Please go to my grave
and pray every day. Do this and I shall be happy.”
Both
brothers said: “Yes, always dear father!”
After
the funeral the two brothers faithfully arrived to their father’s grave to
pray. They would sing one Psalm: “Domine
Pastor es meus…” pray “Ave Maria”
seven times, a “Pater Noster” and
then the readings of the hours. In time, however, the older brother became an
illustrious merchant and fell in love with a beautiful maiden. He told the
younger brother one day, “I don’t have
enough time, not even a spare hour, to pray at father’s grave, you do it.”
The
younger brother happily obliged. Over many years, even in storms and snow, he
trudged up the hill where his father laid and said the daily prayers. By
himself, he would sing one psalm, pray “Ave”
seven times, a “Pater Noster” and the
readings of the hours.
One
summer day, news came that a wealthy prince had lost a rare jewel, while traveling
through the countryside, lost amidst his great company, and that he searched
for it without avail. Upon the cathedral door, a decree was posted, that whoever
finds this treasure will be rewarded with riches beyond compare. Now the older
brother busied himself in search of the rare jewel. He went out day and night
and did not find it. When the younger brother went for his daily prayers, he
spoke to his father: “If I find this
jewel, I shall be happy and content to the end of my days but if not, my
father, I still have you.”
Suddenly,
a voice came from heaven. It said: “My
son, oh, my dear son, it was you who faithfully climbed this hill every day, wither
in storms or snow, to fulfill my dying wish. In heaven, I see everything and I
know where the Prince’s treasure lies. Go to it now.”
The
young son followed his father’s voice and arrived in a field of wild hay. Beneath
some dead grass and dirt, he dug and took in his hands a diamond that looked as
if made of pure gold, having many faces, glowing with many colors and hues. He
rushed and returned it to its rightful owner, the prince. Blushing joyously,
the Prince did as promised and bestowed the younger brother with great riches.
Suddenly his older brother stormed into the palace, jealous and angry. “I searched day and night for that jewel and
you find it without even telling me!”
“Dear brother, don’t be upset. Had you gone
with me to pray at father’s grave, you would have found the treasure. No small
and meaningless labor goes without reward in the eyes of heaven. In my
faithfulness, I was blessed. By giving up my time and earthly comfort, I found
favor. But know this: my reward is yours also- whatever is mine, is yours.”.”
