Parable of the Prodigal Son

Well, father said, "Eldest son, kill the fatted calf

Call the family 'round

Kill that calf and call the family 'round

My son was lost but now he is found

'Cause that's the way for us to get along"

Hey

Prodigal Son -The Rolling Stones

There was a man who had many sons.

And the most wayward of them, said to his father, ‘Father, give us the share of property that is coming to us.’

And so he divided his property between them.

Not many days later, the wayward son gathered all he had and took a journey up into the Midlands, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.

And when he had spent everything, a severe disease arose in that country, and he began to be in dire need. So he went and tried to hire himself out to some of the other sons of that county, who sent him packing into their fields with little to hope for .

He was longing to be fed with the scraps that the others ate, but no one gave him anything.

But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants in the lower leagues have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to dine at the top table. Treat me as one of your hired servants and I will enter into the Championship.”

And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned before you. I am no longer worthy.

But the father said to his servants ‘Bring quickly the best kit, and find a ground and put him in it, and put a ball in his hand, and boots on his feet. And bring me the Championship winners and I shall refuse them their rightful place at the top table'.

'Let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’

And he began to celebrate.

Now some of his other sons, those from the second tier, were in the field, and as they came and drew near, they heard music and dancing.

And they called one of the committee and asked what these things meant. And he said to them, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has sacrificed the rightful son, because he has received him back safe and sound.

But they were angry and refused to go in. Their father came out and entreated them, but they answered him, ‘Look, these many years we have served you, and we never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave us any increase in funding, that we might celebrate with our friends.

But when this others son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with subterfuge and intrigue, you killed the fattened calf for him!’

And he said to them, with his fingers firmly crossed, ‘Sons, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’

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Or an alternative ending:

The other sons murmured, but he replied, 'What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing?'.

But they would not listen and his words fell on stony ground, where they did not have much earth; and immediately they sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up, they were scorched, and because they had not root they withered away.

And the brothers spoke as one, 'Father, you receiveth sinners, and eateth with them, we want nothing more to do with you. We will journey on our own'.

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