And since at least a few are enjoying these parables, I have a couple more for you today.
My very favorite parable is the beautiful story of the prodigal son. I think it is the favorite of a lot of people.
My retelling is a bit long...but I think you will find it worth the read.
The Parable of The Prodigal Son
as retold by The Barrd
Part I
The Son
The pleasures of the flesh are calling
His young heart stops to listen
A siren song his ears enthralling
A dream of lips that glisten
A little wine to ease his heart
A little song to make him merry
Arms that open, thighs that part
His misgivings he will bury
His passion and his money spent
He awakens all alone
No swaying breasts, no flashing hips
His companions all are gone
"Why?" he cries to cold deaf ears
He's homeless, cold and hungry
"No one cares, no one hears
The city is heartless and lonely!"
He thinks of the family he left behind
He thinks of the hearts he left broken
What kind of welcome could he find
When no goodbyes were spoken?
And now, with nowhere else to go
His thoughts toward home keep turning
To face a future he doesn't know
At the prodigal's returning.
Part II
The Father
He sits at the window, a broken man
Forgotten, gray and old
Remembering the touch of a tiny hand
As memory grows cold
Listening in silent dread
As if all hope were gone
For the old familiar tread
The old familiar song
Oh, where, oh where is the little boy
Where my darling one?
What happened to the boundless joy
My precious, long lost son?
Has he forgotten home and family
Now that he is grown?
The father's love, the mother's kiss
Has he left us all alone?
Noisy rooms gone quiet now
No need to shout, "Behave!"
No merry laughter, no prayers to hear
All is quiet as the grave.
Is he lost? Or is he dead?
Oh, how his heart is yearning!
His deepest, his most earnest prayer
For the prodigal's returning.
Part III
The Homecoming
There, on the deserted road
A figure walks alone
Bent as if by a heavy load
His weary steps toward home
And, there, in the window, a head comes up
And unbelieving tears
Come coursing down the withered cheek
Forgotten, the bitter years
"Father!" comes the timid voice
"My son!" the joyous cry
"My lost child, you're home at last!
A happy man am I!"
"My Father, I am sorry
For all the wrong I've done"
"My child, all is forgiven.
Welcome home, my son!"
The hillside echoes their joyous cries
As angels dance about the pair
They look into each other's eyes
And see the love reflected there
Forgotten, all the lonely years
Forgotten, temptation's burning
Forgotten, the sorrow; forgotten, the tears
At the prodigal's returning.
Part IV
The Jealous Brother
"Now, let us kill the fatted calf!
And let the guests arrive!
For he who was lost is now found
He who was dead, alive!"
Now, as the feast was carried out
With generous libation
With merry laughter, joyous shouts
And wondrous celebration
Another son, in agony
Was watching, all alone
"My father has forgotten me
Me, his loyal son."
"My son, my son", his father said
"Come, now, let's rejoice!
For he's alive, who once was dead!
Now, hearken to my voice!"
"For him you kill the fatted calf
For me, what have you done?"
"Why, everything I have is yours
My faithful, loving son."
He wouldn't see, he wouldn't hear
His heart, with jealous churning
Would not accept his father's joy
At the prodigal's returning.
Part V
The Moral
And now, in sorrow, our Father waits
And watches from above
As we follow the wicked siren's song
His heart breaks with His love
We chase our golden idols
We ignore His broken plea
We follow after every lust
Our hearts cannot be free
With ears gone deaf, and eyes gone blind
Allured by worldly pleasure
We close our hearts, we close our mind
Upon our greatest Treasure
The feast is ready, He paid the price
He extends a loving hand
Will we accept His sacrifice?
Oh, will we understand?
And will we share His happiness
As the lost ones stumble home?
Or seethe with inward bitterness
And wander off, alone?
He stands before the open gates
His heart, with patient yearning
And so our Father sadly waits
For the prodigal's returning.
