A Peasant’s Sacrifice for His Ungrateful Son

Tatenda's father was a humble peasant farmer — a man of few words yet deep in conviction. Each day, he rose before dawn and worked tirelessly to provide for his small family. Life on the farm was never easy; it was a cycle of hard labor, sweat and sacrifice. Yet, through it all, his father never complained. Every grain he harvested and every coin he earned was dedicated to one purpose — his son, Tatenda, in order to build a better future for him.

Despite his father’s efforts, Tatenda grew increasingly dissatisfied with his life. He saw only what he ever lacked, not what he had been given. While his father dresses worn-out clothes and sometimes went out without meals, Tatenda was busy envying his schoolmates who bring new uniforms at every school opening and new polished shoes. 

He would return home and murmur and growl before his father, when his father could not afford to buy him something new as he wants. He would lash out in anger, filled with bitterness about having such parents who are poor.

His friends often mocked his humble background, calling him poor and backward. Their words pierced his heart and fueled his anger towards his parents to make him align with them. 

Then eventually, Tatenda began to look down on his own father, seeing him as lazy, unambitious and everything he would have denied if he was to choose a father. 

Yet, his father never retaliated or raised his voice. Instead, he silently carried the weight of guilt, wondering if he had failed his son. He worked even harder, sacrificing his own comfort, just to appease Tatenda’s to his level best.

A year after completing his advanced-level studies, Tatenda had a vivid and disturbing dream — his father passed away. He woke in a cold sweat, trembling with fear and guilt. That morning, he turned to his mother for comfort. But instead of consoling him, she looked into his eyes and said softly,

“Your father has done his best for you with the little he had. He denied himself of anything, better clothes and even his rest so that you could have a better chance at life. Yet you never appreciated him. You compared your life to others instead of being thankful for the love and sacrifice to achieve your schooling.”

Tatenda was struck to the core. Falling to his knees, he begged for forgiveness, confessing his selfishness and shame. He imagined his father, frailty and weariness from years of toil and wept bitterly. 

In that moment, Tatenda rose from a dream, and realized the depth of his mischief — to a love that asked for nothing in return. He told his father of the dream and asked him to forgive him. 

From that day forward, Tatenda changed completely. Gratitude replaced pride; humility silenced anger. He worked side by side with his father, cherishing each moment they shared. The two rebuilt not only their bond but their entire way of living — Tatenda got a highest paying job in town and changed the life of his family.

Tatenda finally understood that love is measured not by what we receive, but by what others sacrifice to give.

Moral Lesson to the Story:

Appreciate what you have. Be thankful for those who labor silently for your comfort. 

Honor your parents. Understand their struggles. Cherish their love.

And above all, give thanks to God, who blesses those who live with humility and gratitude