The Ungrateful Son

In a prosperous city during the Joseon Dynasty, there lived a successful merchant named Jinwoo who had built a thriving business through years of hard work and careful planning. He owned several shops, employed many workers, and was respected throughout the community for his business acumen and wealth.

Jinwoo lived in a grand house with his wife and two young children, surrounded by all the luxuries that money could buy. Fine silk clothes filled their wardrobes, elaborate furniture decorated their rooms, and servants attended to their every need. By all external measures, Jinwoo and his family lived an enviable life.

However, there was a shadow in Jinwoo’s otherwise successful existence. On the outskirts of the city, in a small, crumbling house that Jinwoo owned but rarely visited, lived his elderly parents – the very people who had sacrificed everything to give him the education and opportunities that had made his success possible.

Jinwoo’s father, Master Cho, had once been a respected scholar and teacher who had spent his entire savings to send his son to the best schools and provide him with the education necessary to succeed in business. Jinwoo’s mother had worked tirelessly as a seamstress, often going without meals herself to ensure that her son had proper clothing and books.

Now, in their old age, Master Cho and his wife lived in poverty and neglect. Their son, who could easily have afforded to provide them with comfortable accommodations and proper care, instead gave them only the bare minimum necessary to keep them alive.

“We should be grateful that Jinwoo gives us anything at all,” Master Cho would say to his wife when she expressed sadness about their son’s indifference. “Many children abandon their parents completely once they become successful.”

But despite his philosophical words, Master Cho’s heart was broken by his son’s lack of gratitude and respect. He had hoped that the values he had tried to instill in Jinwoo during his childhood would guide him to be a filial and caring son in adulthood.

Once a month, Jinwoo would make a brief, duty-bound visit to his parents’ humble dwelling. He would arrive in his expensive carriage, spend a few minutes asking perfunctory questions about their health, leave a small amount of money for their basic needs, and then hurry away to return to his important business affairs.

“Father, Mother, I’m very busy these days,” Jinwoo would say during these brief visits. “The business requires all of my attention, and I have my own family to care for. I hope you understand that I can’t spend much time here.”

“Of course, my son,” Master Cho would reply sadly. “We are grateful for whatever time you can spare for us.”

But Jinwoo never seemed to notice the sadness in his father’s voice or the tears that his mother tried to hide when he left. He was too focused on his own concerns and too convinced of his own importance to pay attention to his parents’ emotional needs.

The other residents of the neighborhood where Jinwoo’s parents lived often spoke among themselves about the situation.

“How can that wealthy merchant treat his own parents so poorly?” the neighbors would whisper. “Master Cho and his wife are such kind, decent people. They deserve so much better from their son.”

“I’ve heard that Master Cho sold his most precious possessions to pay for Jinwoo’s education,” an elderly woman would add. “And now look how he repays their sacrifice.”

One particularly cold winter day, Master Cho fell seriously ill with a fever that left him bedridden and weak. His wife sent an urgent message to Jinwoo, begging him to come quickly because she feared that her husband might not survive.

But when the messenger arrived at Jinwoo’s grand house, he was told that the master was too busy with an important business negotiation to be interrupted.

“Tell them I’ll visit when I can find the time,” Jinwoo instructed his servant, not even looking up from the contracts he was reviewing. “I’m sure it’s not as serious as they’re making it sound.”

Days passed while Master Cho grew weaker and weaker, and still Jinwoo did not come. His mother sat by her husband’s bedside, caring for him as best she could with their limited resources, while wondering if her son would even bother to attend his father’s funeral if the worst should happen.

On the fourth night of Master Cho’s illness, as his wife dozed fitfully in her chair beside his bed, a strange and wonderful thing occurred. The small, shabby room suddenly filled with a warm, golden light, and three figures materialized beside the sick man’s bed.

The figures appeared to be ancient spirits or immortals, dressed in flowing robes that seemed to be woven from starlight itself. Their faces radiated wisdom and compassion, and their presence filled the room with a sense of peace and divine authority.

“Master Cho,” the eldest of the spirits said in a voice that was both gentle and powerful, “we have been watching your family’s situation with great concern. Your son has forgotten the fundamental values of filial piety and gratitude that form the foundation of a righteous life.”

Master Cho, despite his illness, managed to sit up and bow respectfully to the heavenly visitors. “Honored spirits,” he said weakly, “my son is not a bad person. He is simply caught up in the material concerns of the world. Perhaps in time he will remember what is truly important.”

“Your faith in your son does you credit,” the second spirit replied. “But sometimes people need to experience consequences before they can learn important lessons. We have come to offer you a choice.”

“We can restore your health and extend your life,” the third spirit explained, “but only if your son proves himself worthy through genuine acts of filial piety and gratitude. If he fails this test, you will pass into the next world knowing that you gave him every opportunity to redeem himself.”

Master Cho considered this offer carefully. Part of him was tempted to simply accept death rather than burden his son with any expectations. But another part of him hoped that Jinwoo still had the capacity to remember and embrace the values he had been taught as a child.

“I accept your offer,” Master Cho said finally. “Not because I expect my son to change, but because I believe he deserves one last chance to discover what truly matters in life.”

The spirits nodded approvingly. “Then it shall be as you have chosen. But remember – the test must be genuine. Your son must demonstrate real filial piety and gratitude, not merely go through the motions of dutiful behavior.”

As the spirits disappeared and the golden light faded from the room, Master Cho felt his strength returning and his fever breaking. By morning, he was completely recovered, though his wife could hardly believe the miraculous transformation.

The next day, Jinwoo finally found time to visit his parents, expecting to find his father on his deathbed. Instead, he discovered both his parents in apparent good health, working together to repair their humble home.

“Father!” Jinwoo exclaimed in surprise. “The message I received said you were seriously ill. You look perfectly fine.”

“I was indeed very sick,” Master Cho replied carefully, “but I have recovered. Perhaps it was not as serious as we first thought.”

Jinwoo shrugged, already losing interest in the situation. “Well, I’m glad you’re feeling better. I was worried I might have to arrange for a funeral, and I have so many business commitments this month.”

As the weeks passed, a series of strange events began to occur in Jinwoo’s life. His business, which had always been successful, started encountering unexpected problems. Shipments were delayed, customers complained about poor quality, and competitors seemed to be gaining advantages that Jinwoo couldn’t understand.

At first, Jinwoo attributed these setbacks to normal business fluctuations. But as the problems continued and worsened, he began to suspect that some supernatural force might be working against him.

One evening, as Jinwoo sat in his luxurious study worrying about his declining fortunes, the same three spirits who had visited his parents appeared before him in a shimmer of golden light.

“Jinwoo,” the eldest spirit said sternly, “do you know why your business has been struggling recently?”

Jinwoo fell to his knees in terror, recognizing that he was in the presence of supernatural beings far more powerful than himself. “Honored spirits,” he stammered, “I don’t understand what’s happening to me. I’ve always conducted my business honestly and worked hard for my success.”

“Your business practices may be honest,” the second spirit replied, “but your treatment of your parents shows a fundamental lack of the respect and gratitude that are essential to a virtuous life.”

“Your father sold his most precious possessions to pay for your education,” the third spirit added. “Your mother went hungry so that you could eat well and dress properly. They sacrificed their comfort and security to give you opportunities for success.”

“And how have you repaid their love and sacrifice?” the first spirit continued. “With neglect, indifference, and the bare minimum support necessary to ease your own conscience.”

Jinwoo began to understand the connection between his recent troubles and his treatment of his parents. “What must I do to make amends?” he asked desperately.

“True filial piety cannot be performed as a mere transaction,” the eldest spirit explained. “You must genuinely understand and appreciate what your parents have done for you. You must care for them not out of duty or fear, but out of love and gratitude.”

“We will give you thirty days,” the second spirit added. “If by the end of that time you have not demonstrated genuine filial piety, your business will be completely destroyed and you will lose everything you have gained through your parents’ sacrifices.”

“But if you do learn to truly honor your parents,” the third spirit concluded, “your fortunes will be restored and your family will be blessed with prosperity and happiness for generations to come.”

As the spirits vanished, leaving Jinwoo alone with his fears and his conscience, he began to seriously consider his relationship with his parents for the first time in many years.

The next morning, instead of going to his usual business appointments, Jinwoo traveled to his parents’ humble dwelling. But this time, instead of making a brief, duty-bound visit, he came with a genuinely open heart and a desire to understand what his parents’ lives were really like.

“Father, Mother,” he said as he knelt before them with sincere respect, “I have come to ask for your forgiveness. I realize that I have been a terrible son, and I want to make amends for my ingratitude and neglect.”

Master Cho and his wife were shocked by this unexpected change in their son’s attitude, but they were also hopeful that it might represent a genuine transformation.

Over the following days, Jinwoo spent time with his parents in ways he had never done since becoming successful. He listened to their stories about their younger days, learned about the sacrifices they had made for his education, and began to understand the depth of love and dedication they had shown throughout his life.

More importantly, Jinwoo started taking concrete actions to improve his parents’ living conditions. He moved them from their cramped, deteriorating house into a comfortable wing of his own mansion. He ensured that they had proper medical care, nutritious food, and warm clothing. He introduced them to his wife and children, who had barely known their grandparents due to Jinwoo’s previous neglect.

But the most significant change was in Jinwoo’s attitude and behavior toward his parents. He began seeking their advice on important decisions, spending time with them each day, and treating them with the respect and honor that their age and wisdom deserved.

“My son,” Master Cho said one evening as they sat together in the garden, “I can see that your heart has truly changed. You are becoming the man I always hoped you would be.”

“Father,” Jinwoo replied with tears in his eyes, “I am ashamed that it took a supernatural warning to make me see what should have been obvious all along. You and Mother gave me everything, and I gave you almost nothing in return. I don’t know how I can ever fully repay your love and sacrifice.”

“The fact that you understand and acknowledge our sacrifice is already a great gift,” his mother added gently. “We never wanted wealth or luxury from you – we wanted only your love, respect, and gratitude.”

As the thirty-day deadline approached, Jinwoo’s business began to recover and prosper even more than before. But more importantly, his relationship with his parents had been completely transformed. He had rediscovered the joy of being part of a loving family and the satisfaction that comes from honoring those who have sacrificed for your benefit.

On the thirtieth day, the three spirits appeared to Jinwoo one final time. But instead of stern warnings, they brought approval and blessings.

“Jinwoo,” the eldest spirit said with a warm smile, “you have learned the true meaning of filial piety. Your transformation has been genuine and complete.”

“Your business will prosper for the rest of your life,” the second spirit added, “but more importantly, your family will be blessed with love, harmony, and mutual respect for many generations.”

“Remember this lesson always,” the third spirit concluded, “and teach it to your children so that they too will understand the importance of honoring their parents and ancestors.”

From that day forward, Jinwoo lived his life guided by the principles of filial piety and gratitude. He cared for his parents with love and dedication until they passed away peacefully in their old age, surrounded by their loving family.

Jinwoo also made sure to teach his own children about the importance of respecting and honoring their elders. He would often tell them the story of his own transformation, emphasizing how much richer and more meaningful his life had become once he learned to truly appreciate his parents’ love and sacrifice.

Years later, when Jinwoo had grown old himself, his children cared for him with the same love and respect that he had learned to show his own parents. The cycle of filial piety that he had broken through his selfish neglect was restored and strengthened for future generations.

The story of Jinwoo’s transformation became a beloved tale throughout Korea, passed down from parents to children as a reminder of the fundamental importance of family respect and gratitude. It served as both a warning about the consequences of ingratitude and an inspiration about the transformative power of genuine filial piety.

And though the supernatural elements of the story might have seemed like legend to some, those who knew Jinwoo personally had witnessed his remarkable change of heart and could testify to the real-world power of learning to honor and appreciate the people who have sacrificed to make our success possible.