Three sons left home, set out on their own, and flourished. Years later, they reunite to discuss the gifts they were able to offer their aging mother on her 90th birthday. The first said, “I built a big house for our mother.” The second explained, “I sent her a Mercedes with a driver.” The third smirked and declared, “I’ve got you both beat. You are aware of Mom’s fondness for the Bible, as well as her limited vision.

I sent her a brown parrot that can recite the whole Bible. It took 20 monks in a monastery 12 years to instruct him. I had to agree to contribute $100,000.00 per year for ten years, but it was worthwhile. Mom only has to identify the chapter and verse, and the parrot will recite them.” Soon after, Mom sent out her letters of gratitude:

“Milton,” she wrote to her first son, “The house you made is so large. “I only live in one room, but I have to clean the entire house.” “Marvin,” she wrote to someone, “I’m too old to travel. I never use the Mercedes because I spend all of my time at home. “And the driver is extremely rude!” “Dearest Melvin,” she wrote to her third son, “you were the only son who had the good sense to realize what your mother liked. “That chicken was delicious!”