The three siblings gathered together to plan a birthday celebration for their father. As their father was turning sixty, the children wanted to prepare something special and put their heads together to come up with ideas. After much discussion, they decided to take their father on a trip, treat him to delicious food, and enjoy sightseeing together. They also divided up the responsibilities.
It happened while the eldest was searching for accommodations at the travel destination. Their father called and said, “I haven’t been able to sleep well lately, so I’m thinking of going to the hospital, but I don’t know which one I should go to.” The eldest replied, “I’m busy right now. I’ll check later.” It happened while the second child was trying to make a reservation at a popular restaurant. Their father called and said, “The pickled vegetables turned out really well. Would you like me to share some with you? You like pickles, don’t you?” The second replied, “If I need any, I’ll just buy them. Please don’t send any.” It happened while the youngest was at the department store to buy a gift for their father. Their father called and said, “The soles of the shoes you bought me two years ago are coming off. I don’t want to throw them away, but I’d like to have them repaired. Could you take them to the store where you bought them for me?” Then the youngest replied, “Dad, please just throw away those worn-out shoes. If other people see them, they’ll blame us, your children.”
Having been turned down by all three of his children, the father quietly left for a secluded place on his birthday.