In a small African village, two brothers were about to set out to make their fortunes in a distant country. “Go with my blessing,” their father said, “but on your way put marks on the trees lest you lose your way.” So the brothers went off. The older brother proceeded through the thick forest. As he traveled on, he cut down some trees and carved marks into others. The younger brother, however, took another route. As he journeyed on, he stopped at various houses along the way and offered to work in return for their food and shelter. He returned home and shared their adventures with their father. Happy to have his sons back, their father said, “I would like to see the marks you left.”

So the father went off first with his older son. They followed his road, marked by all the trees the son had cut down, eventually returning to their village. Then the father set out with his second-born. They were received warmly by all the friends the son had made. Father and son had a wonderful time and returned home with many gifts and warm memories. After their return, the father called together his two songs. “I have seen the work you have done. Now that I am old, I must entrust the affairs of our family to one of you.”

To the older brother, he said: “My son, your journey was marked by many fallen trees. But what good are such marks? You must learn to care for people.” But to the second son, he said: “I have seen with great joy the marks you left on your journey. You made the most important marks: friendship, kindness, understanding, generosity. Continue to make such marks as you succeed me as a head of our family.”

(Adapted from a true story in Once Upon A Time in Africa: Stories of Wisdom and Joy, compiled by Joseph G. Healey)