In a certain city several business leaders were all in the same business, and naturally each of them assured the community that the product of their offering was the very best. Little did these leaders realize their relationship one to another?
Aside from all of them operating in the same business, it was duly discovered what they all held in common. The discovery was only to themselves at first, for the common people lacked perception of their astonishing bond. Each of them, not willing that the community discover their secret, eagerly made a silent pact never to tell the truth. NEVER! They all further agreed their goods would be priced the same, and the quality of those goods would remain as they were.
The amazing commonality, which was but a part of their secret was that they ALL had the same mother. So then, with such great undeniable kinship, came a greater union because they ALL determined to honor what “ Mother” had taught to each of them as concerning business practices. Despite the incessant fighting and arguments among themselves, as happens with many family members, they somehow always managed to do business as “ Mother” had insisted. Since the community at first did not know their secret, everyone accepted their goods as equal; in as much as the quality and price were virtually the same.
Then another leader came to provide goods in the same city. He was incidentally in the same business as the aforementioned leaders. This leader, being less prominent, was rejected by ALL who did business by the traditions agreed upon and taught by “ Mother”. The more prominent leaders with their customers said, “We don’t need another store in the same business! What gives this less prominent leader the right to open a new store?”
The new store owner replied:
“Because … I had the same mother as they had.”
“What does this mean,” asked the community? “You had the same mother as whom?” The less prominent leader then tearfully stated, “My mother was a harlot and had many children, and all her children are in the same business. My goods are far more costly than are their goods, for my goods are of greater quality. All are of pure gold and wrapped in the finest of white linen; they are without spot, blemish, or even wrinkle. My goods, will probably cost you more, in fact, the cost is everything … all that you think to presently own. But … they are worth the price … they are of purest gold.”
Many in the community perceived the less prominent leader to be totally different in a peculiar way to the several prominent leaders. Perhaps it was the honesty with which he revealed the truth concerning his mother. A few decided to take the goods of greater value at the cost that he offered at the end of every work week; it seemed as though they realized one must always get what is paid for.
Passage of time brought question to many in the certain city. They wondered what made the difference of how this man provided goods to the community and those other prominent leaders. They asked the less prominent man. “If you leaders all had the same mother to honor, which you admit to, how is it that you alone are different?”
Said he smiling as he spoke:
“Oh that’s simple; I had a different FATHER.
In ALL that I do, it is my FATHER that I honor.”
View the PDF below as it was originally presented
Parable | Written August 9th, 1987
They All Had The Same Mother PDF