Week 9 Story: Parents Know Best

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Parents Know Best


There once was a family by the name of the McDonald’s. The McDonald family consists of three daughters all evenly 2 years apart. Growing up, they lived very conservatively. They were fairly wealthy, but didn’t show it much. When the oldest daughter was a senior in high school, and getting ready for graduation, she asked her parents what she was going to receive as a graduation gift. Her dad would always say, “your mother and I have already decided your gift, but it is going to be a surprise to you.”



When the oldest daughter graduated, her parents handed her a card in an envelope. She opened the card, finding a $20 bill inside. She was a little upset and was expecting a more for her graduation present. Her parents told her that she received this $20 bill to help her earn money. She was ordered to invest the money into a company of her choosing, and if she is smart about the investment, she should make a lot of money. She was still upset, but did exactly as her parents said. After her 4 years of college, she had made a considerable amount of money from her investment. She called her parents and thanked them for giving her the most amazing gift she could ask for.



4 years later, the middle daughter was now a senior in high school. At graduation, she received the same exact gift as her older sister. “Take this $20 and invest it into a company of your choosing, if you are smart about who you invest in, you will make more money than just $20.” She was not thrilled about her present, but much like her older sister, she did as she was told. She invested the $20, and after 4 years, she too called her parents in gratitude.



A mere 2 years later, their youngest daughter was 17 years old, and was getting ready for graduation. “What am I getting for my graduation gift?” She asked. “Your mother and I have already decided your gift, but it is going to be a surprise to you.” She rolled her eyes and told them that she wanted a car. Two months later, she walked across the stage and received her high school diploma. “What did you get me?” She impatiently asked. Her parents handed her a card inside an envelope. “Open it.” Her dad said. When she opened it, she saw a $20 bill inside the card. “Is this it?” She said annoyed. “This $20 can make you more money than you can imagine. Invest this money into a company of your choosing and watch what can happen in a few years.” Her parents both explained. She rolled her eyes and walked away. She refused to invest it, and spent the $20 on a new pair of shoes for college. Four years later, she was in debt, with student loans. At Thanksgiving the following year, she felt isolated because her two older sisters were wealthier than she was. She asked her sisters how they made so much money in such a short amount of time.


Her sisters both said, “Mom and dad were right, if you listened to them and invested your money in a responsible way, you could have made the same amount of money we did.” The 2 older sisters listened to their parents’ advice and it paid off.

The Stock Market

Forbes

Authors Note: 

This story was inspired by the Filipino Tales called, "The Poor Man and His Three Sons." In the original story, there is a dying father who wants his three sons to live a happy life. Before the father dies, he gives each son a different gift and tells them that if they are able to sell the gifts, they will be wealthy young men. Each son set out to try to sell their gifts, and each made a considerable profit. 

Bibliography: 

"The Poor Man and His Three Sons" by Dean S. Fansler

http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/06/filipino-tales-poor-man-and-his-three.html