Perfect Son I

When we watch a movie or read a story, we mostly remember the main characters, we sometimes don’t pay attention to the supporting characters and almost make the extras invisible. As a child in Sunday School, I heard about the old story of the prodigal son who left home and came back and was forgiven by his father…he even got a welcome home gift and party. Remember there were two sons? Do you remember the older son, the perfect one who did not mess up? 
Unlike most people, I saw this as more than just a story of forgiveness- it was also a story of how the perfect son was unfairly treated, and it kind of got me angry. This is how I imagined his story: he was the older son, really hard working, responsible, loyal and obedient, in summary, the good one. Unlike his brother, he never indirectly said stuff like “Hey dad, I can’t wait for you to die, so just read your will and let me have my cut”. I imagined him telling his younger brother “Come on Joey, not cool”. Even when he saw that his brother’s request actually pushed through, he didn’t go “Me too, me too!” he stuck with his dad, didn’t leave him lonely. He didn’t just stay back; he kept working hard and obeying while ‘Joey’ spent hard. He never got a well done gift or party but he remained loyal.
One day, he went to the field (I guess to work as usual) and when he came home, there was a party. At last, a surprise party, acknowledging him, else how do you explain his not being informed? So he called a servant and asks what was going on and guess the reply- his brother who left home and wasted all their father’s money he got was being celebrated. He even got the fat calf his elder brother probably fattened. How do you think he felt? Of course he was angry! He didn’t even get invited to the party. So he refused to go in. His father then came out to ask him to come in, and this time, he poured out his grievances. But, his father tried to make him see the reason to celebrate.
This made me angry. It didn’t seem fair. Personally, I have always made a conscious effort to be a good girl, the obedient one who never gave her parents much trouble or drama. In fact, it seems I had had this determination before I had my first milk teeth….. Oh yes, I’ve got a witness. Mom told me that as a baby, I didn’t stress her out when I wanted to sleep, unlike my younger sister. She said I’d just go lie down and I’m off. So it’s not too surprising that I saw the story in this light. How can you tell me, the self-acclaimed founder of the Perfect Sons and (apparently) Daughters Association (PESODA) that all I get for being a PESODITE  is to attend a welcome back party in honor of a non PESODITE? Not fair!

by victory