Do fathers know best?

Who knows best? We obviously do not have the right answer all the time. It all depends upon the subject in question and the people's experience and knowledge in the matter.

Of course in the prescription of medicine, the best person to turn to is a practising specialist in the particular field. Certainly, I would be the worst person to turn to even though I could have read about the sickness and the types of medicine essential to cure it. This is because I may not retain that knowledge fully as there is no necessity to do so. Worst, I may remember part of it and forget the rest. And after some time, I may be just thinking I remember it when I actually don't. After all, without usage of a knowledge, the knowledge is soon forgotten.

But should not every parent know and understand their children best? Must parents go through some kind of study to be able to perform at their best? Well, I am going to allow you the privilege to decide that after you have read the following true story.

Once, there was a very rich businessman, a billionaire, who had three daughters and three sons. He cared for all his six children well. The six children grew up, the mother passed away, and they lived with their father. One day, the old man realised that he was getting older each year and the time may come when he had to follow his wife to the other world. As all the children were already married, he decided to give most of his wealth to them. Well, you would expect every child of his to get a share, right? Unfortunately, that was not the case. He gave millions to each son but nothing to the daughters, not even a smaller portion of what he gave the boys!

The boys were extremely happy with such wealth heaped upon them and the girls suffered the disappointment of being neglected in the process. Luckily, the girls and their families were not poor. They and their husbands were capable, have their own businesses and had all that they needed. So they got over their disappointment quickly and went on with their lives.

Now, that old father did not die in the expected next few years. However, that did not mean he was still strong. In fact he weakened so much that he needed someone to attend to him and his servants. He requested his sons to assist him but none turned up.

God must have been kind for giving him daughters with warm hearts of gold. for the daughters, when they heard that their poor father needed help, they responded admirably. They helped him as much as they could.

The old man discovered that the daughters he did not allow to inherit some of his millions were the ones who went to him in spite of what he had done. Realising his mistake, the old man did try to make amends by offering them his money but they refused to have anything to do with his money although they continued to give time and asistance whenever they could.

It was a simple case of father not knowing what was the best thing to do. Love for the children from the parents should be equal and fair but some stupid customs and traditions have warped the thinking of people. sometimes even modern knowledge and understanding cannot erase the wrong beliefs and thoughts of people who have been brought up to think in a certain manner in so many matters.

That is why we need people who have the courage to change, to gather knowledge, to understand and think straight, to look and be able to differentiate bright from dark, white from black, or right from wrong. Till then this world will have people who believe in wrongs and fight or stand for such wrongs.