A wise businessman and his son embarked on a long journey of commercial intent. It wasn't a particularly prosperous time but whatever it is that they were selling, perfumes or precious stones, spices or silk, was quite in demand in this strange foriegnland and they made a fortune. Satisfied that the journey had been fruitful and that money had been made, the duo mounted their horses and set forth to return home. The journey was long and the path perilous. So, as dusk approached, they decided to spend the night in a public inn and continue their plod home the morning after. The inn was rowdy with drunkards and whores and the businessman was afraid for his hard-earned wealth. Father and son took turns to guard their bags of gold coins from scheming thieves and greedy eyes.
Before the sun rose and the men woke from their drink-addled stupor, the businessman and his son saddled up and departed. They had hardly crossed the borders of the town when the businessman realised that there was one bag of gold missing. The son, a lad of fifteen, it appeared had, in his sleepless daze, forgotten it. The businessman was angry but anger much like money should be used judiciously and he was in no mood to splurge it on his naif son. Rushed they back to the inn with the fond hope that there might still be something to salvage. And what did they find but their bag, where they left it, undisturbed. The son was joyous that his bungle had cost no damage but an hours delay in their sojourn home. The businessman, however, was most disturbed. Such fortuity did not bode well. He turned to his son and bid him to go home with half the gold and not to turn back. Puzzled but obedient, the son returned.
Years went by and no news of the businessman was ever heard. The son became a wealthy businessman, amassing great wealth and reputation, married well, bore children and lived a princely life. He was kind and generous to his friends and neighbours and respectful and caring to his mother who was, as women tend to be, adamant that her husband was alive and declined to wear the garb of a widow. Many efforts, all vain, later the son had resigned to the idea that his dear father had vanished without a trace.
You can imagine the shock when one day to their very gilded door returned the lost businessman. The years had not been kind to him and he appeared starved and beggarly. His son embraced him with tears. His resolute wife nursed him. Meat and exotic fruits were served in silver platters and much wine was filled in golden goblets. Servants materialised to attend to his every need. His daughter-in-law drew him a scented bath and his grandchildren prepared a bed for him. When he was sufficiently revived, the son hesitantly broached the topic of the mystery of his absence.
The businessman recounted his tale. When they had found the unmolested bag of gold, a great fear had troubled him. They had had the angel of fortune smiling upon them for too long. Weather had been genial through their difficult journey and they had not encountered bandit nor bureaucrat. Their wares had found welcome buyers. They had forgotten a bounty at a public inn and returned to find it unstolen. It could only mean that misfortune and misery wasn't far away. The businessman decided then to shield his family from it. He would tempt misfortune away. He had sent his son home and journeyed in the opposite direction, praying that he had lured fate his way. And he had been right. Disaster stuck soon. He was robbed. But the robbers had spared his life though they had no reason to. He realised that there was still some good luck left in him and destiny wouldn't be satisfied until it had completely broken him. He proceeded, farther and farther away from his family. He gambled what meagre possessions he had but kept winning just enough to be not completely broke. He was captured and sold as a slave but his slave-owner freed him and gave him some money and a mule. Much later, he was cheated of it and reduced to poverty but kind people fed him and gave him a shelter. Through all the hardships there was still some grace and he persevered in his quest for rock bottom.
And then it came to pass. He was living on the streets of a big city, a homeless beggar. A youngster stole his bag of rags. Surely it was some prank or a dare. Nevertheless, here was a beggar with everything that he could call his own in a a soiled bag and though it be worthless, he had been robbed of it for mere amusement. He had laughed and laughed until he wept with joy. Crowds milled around him to see the insane mendicant. But he was free. He had won the tussle against fate. It was thus that he immediately ventured on his travel home and reached the abode of his family, that had stayed unscathed by adversity.
And they lived happily ever after.
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