At the hospital ward, Mark and Lawrence stood at the bedside of their dying father. Their mother was a sobbing sad spirit sitting near his pale face. This fragile man had lived with her for the last thirty years. She knew him since her teen age and married him in her mid 20s.

Mark and Lawrence, 25 and 24 years old respectively, were well educated and were working with comfortable income. They were about to start the life long journey of marrying their partners in a couple of years.

The man called for all of them to go nearer so that he did not need to raise voice as a lung cancer patient. He said “I want to tell you two things I have kept from you for a life time.” “What are they?” the mother asked while tears rolled down uncontrollably.

“First of all, you must be wondering why I like to eat the chicken neck and back so fondly every time we have a chicken dish for meal.” The sons poured out concurrently “Why?”

“I know most people do not enjoy these parts, but to leave them on the plate without taking would be wasteful. I know one of you will just take the parts and pretend to eat them. You will abandon after just one bite. You do it as you want to leave the better portion of the chicken to the others. I took the neck and back every time by faking I like them. Just like you, I want all of you to enjoy the best of food.”

While they kept silent, the man continued. “Sons, you would have thought that I pay less attention to your study that I didn’t even go to your graduation ceremonies when you were studying overseas. Instead I told you I was busy with works and asked your mum to attend. You know, your mum and me have gone through tough times to send you our savings so much that every single dollar has become precious. I saved on my air tickets so that I can use the fund to buy your mum winter clothing and dresses for your ceremonies.”

“I am so glad to have both of you back home. I know you can take good care of your mum and yourselves now,” The father said.

Before his last breathe, his loved ones were already soaked with tears and he could hear faint words of “Thanks”, “Thank You Dad!” He was happy and delighted. He asked the angels ” please take me with you now, for I have served the good deed as a dutiful husband and father!”