Short Story: Tale of Two Brother

[Waiting4Him]

Tale of Two Brother: Wise man and the Foolish Man
Fiction: based on Matthew 7:24-27
By: Rachel (Waiting4Him)

Once, in a quaint little village, there lived two brothers named Horace and Jasper. One day the brothers decided they had quite enough of small town living, so they decided to leave. They had always been taught about God and how to live for Him. Jasper had decided to follow God, but Horace decided he didn’t really need God. The boys’ father was sad to see his children leave, but he gave them both a share of money and reminded them to follow God, and when the time came to build a house to make sure they had a firm foundation.


So the boys left to seek their own fame and fortunes. Jasper, being the smarter of the two generally listened to his father, but Horace loved danger and laughed to himself when his father warned them about building on a firm foundation.

“Jasper, let’s go earn some money so we can build a big beautiful house on the beach.”

“Horace, don’t you remember what Dad said? He said we need a firm foundation to build our homes on. I don’t think the beach constitutes a firm foundation.”

“Dad has no idea what he’s talking about,” snickered Horace. “All those stories of houses being destroyed are a bunch of nonsense.”

“No, Horace. I think Dad’s right, so I’m going to build my house somewhere else.”


So the boys went their separate ways. Horace traveled to Florida, where he got a job working on the beach. After a few months he met and married a lady named Faith. After a while they built their dream house and started a family.


Jasper traveled to Tennessee, where he got a job in the mountains. After a few months he met a lady named Tori and soon they were married. As soon as they earned the money, they built a house and made plans to start a family.


Shortly after Horace and Faith moved into their house, their first child was born, a boy, who they named Pierce. Horace and Faith gave Pierce everything he needed. From toys to clothes, he had it all! One day Horace decided that he wanted to get in contact with his brother, so he wrote his father.




Dear Dad,

How are you? How’s the farm? Sorry it’s taken me so long to write. Did you hear I got married? Her name’s Faith, she’s very kind and loving; she’s a great mom, too. That’s right. You’re a grandpa. You have a handsome grandson named Pierce. I was wondering if you had Jasper’s address; I want to write him and see how things are going.

Love,
Horace

Dearest Son,

I’m so glad to finally hear from you! It’s been a long six years since you left. I’m glad you found a wife; I’m also pleased to hear I have a grandson. You will have to make a trip home, so I can see him. I have your brother’s address: 409 Falling Rock Drive, Chattanooga, Tennessee. He has been in contact with me for a while. Well, I need to go; I have lots of work to do today.

Love,
Dad

So Horace wrote Jasper a letter.

Hi, Jasper. What’s up? Have you built your house yet? I’ve built mine, and it’s right on the beach. I have a beautiful picture window in the living room where I can watch the sun rise and set over the ocean. I’m married now; my wife’s name is Faith, and I have a son named Pierce. Write back soon and tell me what’s going on. My address is 101 Wipeout Beach, Orlando, Florida.

Love,
Horace

Jasper truly loved Horace so he wrote him a letter, giving only a few details. That way Horace would see that he did not wish to brag about his home and family.

Dear Horace,

Hi! How are things going for you? I’ve built my house, too; It’s high in the mountains. I dug deep and set the foundation in solid rock. I’m married, too, and I have a little girl, named Elisa. I’m sorry this is so short; I’ll write more later.

Love,
Jasper

Neither one of the brothers knew that they would never see each other again. For that very night a horrible storm hit both their homes.


Jasper and his family were safe in their home. Though they were scared, they knew their house was on a firm foundation, and that God would take care of them.

“Daddy, I’m scared!” cried Elisa.

“Don’t worry honey, we’re safe. God will take care of us. Come, sit on my lap and we’ll snuggle by the fire.”

Elisa ran to her father, climbed up in his lap and they sat by the fire while the storm raged outside. While Jasper and his family were safe in their house, Horace and his family were experiencing something quite different.

“Daddy! I think the house is moving!”

“Oh, Pierce, it’s just your imagination.”

“No, your son’s right. I think we should leave now, while we still can,” said Faith.

“Come on, Faith! We both know this house is safe. We built it with our own hands!”

“No, it’s not. I was just outside…”

“You went out in this storm?”

“Yes. There isn’t any foundation left; our house is sitting on the sand and before long it will be washed away.”

As Faith pleaded with her husband, she realized he was not going to budge, so she decided to take Pierce and leave.

“Horace,” she pleaded. “Please stop being so stubborn! This house isn’t worth losing our lives over!”

But Horace refused to listen to reason. Not long after his family left, he heard a terrible sound; it was then he realized his mistake, and now as his house was washed out to sea, he could do nothing but scream for help that would never come. Because of pride, his life was lost.

Jesus told us that without a firm foundation are faith would crumble. Just as Jasper built his home on a firm foundation, we should build are lives on a firm foundation-Christ.