The Man’s Three Sons

Feeling the approach of death, a man determined to find out to which of his three sons he should leave his broad acres.

He called the three sons to him and asked, “what will you do with this inheritance should it fall to you?”

The first son said, “Father, I will work to keep the land prosperous and if need be make good acquisitions to expand our holdings.  I will marry a wife who knows her away around the mangement of a farm.  I will work very hard.”

The second son said, “I will buy plate armor and destrier.  Already I have some skill of arms!  With the instruction I can purchase, I will become a famous knight and put down spooks and goblins in all these parts and abroad!”

The third son said, “when I am old I will have three sons.  I will call my three sons together.  I will ask them what they will do with my inheritance . . .”

The man laughed.  “Bless your impudence,” he said.

Then he gave the inheritance to his oldest son.  He had had in mind to do that all along.