Short Story: A father makes time for his son
@innertalks (21916)
Australia
August 19, 2021 7:54pm CST
The busy accountant was busier than ever doing tax returns for his clients. It was, after all, the Tax season now, in his country.
He had little time for anything else besides.
Then his son came up to his desk, in his home office, and he said to him,
“kick a football with me, Dad?”
The Dad read his son’s hopeful look, and immediately he put aside his work, and went out into the large backyard, and played with his young son, for a good hour.
Both felt refreshed, and better, after that.
The father came back in, and switched on the television for his son, poured him a glass of water, and cut him a piece of his favourite fruit cake.
Then, he said to his son,
“Call me again, if you need me, but I do need to finish the tax return for Reverend Jones, now, as he will be here in an hour to collect it.”
He went back to work, and got into it quickly, and because his mind was now focused by his energy spent outside physically, he cleaned up the files, and finished the tax return with ten minutes to spare before the good reverend turned up.
He knew, this father, his priorities.
Photo Credit: The photo used in this article was sourced from the free media site, pixabay.com
Picture: The father took his son's hand gently into his own, and they both went outside to play football.
5 people like this
3 responses
@innertalks (21916)
• Australia
22 Aug 21
My Uncle never married, but he knew this too.
He would come to our place, and spend time playing with us kids, and we all loved him for his doing this too.
@Shiva49 (26684)
• Singapore
22 Aug 21
@innertalks In a way, when we don't have our own kids, all are ours without borders.
The only difference for me was my own was my responsibility.
1 person likes this
@innertalks (21916)
• Australia
22 Aug 21
@Shiva49 Yes, and my Uncle could go home again without that responsibility attached to him either.
But, he was a good Uncle, and he gave much entertainment to us kids.
We liked him better than which we liked our own father, which made my Dad cringe with envy.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
21 Aug 21
interesting.
if our priority is work, we will suffer.
If our priority is people we will grow!
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
22 Aug 21
@innertalks While that is a good point to start, that isn't the only consideration.
One also has to consider the long term impact of choices made.
2 people like this
@innertalks (21916)
• Australia
22 Aug 21
@DocAndersen Yes, you make a good point.
As if we have momentary heart satisfaction now, without any pain, do we still grow as much as if we endured a little pain now, to have a greater satisfaction later on?
And this might apply to our kids too; we might tell them to go into their room first, finish their homework first, and when they have done that, come back to us, and we will play some football with them then.
@Vikingswest1 (6304)
• United States
20 Aug 21
It reminds me of the story of the little boy that asked how much his attorney father charged for an hour appointment.
While holding his piggy bank in his hands.
The Cat's in the Cradle could be a theme song for too many dads and sons.
Good story.
2 people like this
@innertalks (21916)
• Australia
20 Aug 21
Thanks. Yes, spending time with our children should never be put off. We should make time for them.
That's also rather sad that image of the little boy with his piggy bank too.
