His Father's Gift

Johnny's father, a well to do businessman had died. Everyone was sad, but life had to move on. So after the funeral, his will was readout. The majority of his property went to his wife and only the contents of a safe in their home were bequeathed to his only son.

Johnny came home expecting stocks and bonds along with other valuables to be in there, so he didn't think too much about it. He was hurting because he missed his father, who he considered to be wise, fair and just. The business had to be taken care of, and he felt so lost without his father. He knew only a few people who worked in the office and now he had to take over reigns of the business. He wondered how he would be able to manage to keep the business steady now with his father gone.

When he came around to sorting out his father's possessions he found the safe to which he had been given the key to. He opened it. To his dismay, he found nothing there except a very used old little mobile phone with charger. There was a page stuck on top which read:

Dear Johnny,

I hope you will be able to give something like this to your son too. Trust your old man, and keep it with you always. It's the most valuable thing I have.

Love, Dad.

Johnny took the old phone and started it after charging. There was nothing in it except a list of all his business contacts - some of whom he knew and some of whom he had never heard of. It was all written neatly in his father's handwriting. This was what he gave his only son? No money, no property, no stocks or bonds?? An old phone filled with names and numbers??? He simply didn't understand why his father would do this to him? And why would he want him to give something like this to his yet to be born son? Heck! He wasn't even married yet!

He went and showed his mother. She read the note and went through the long list of contacts on the little phone. She smiled, something she hadn't done in days.

"This is so like your father to leave this to you! It really was the most valuable thing he had!" She said gently.

"What?? Really Ma?" Maybe his mother lost her marbles or something, calling this old mobile phone something valuable.

"So is this a vintage phone which costs a lot of money or something?" asked Johnny completely confused.

"No son. The phone itself isn't valuable. It's what's inside it." She answered.

"Phone numbers?" He asked still very confused.

"Not just any phone numbers. These are the contacts your father and grandfather created over the years to run the family business. It's the goodwill and excellent relations he maintained to ensure the business flourished. Which company can survive without its regular suppliers and loyal distributor network and buyers? The marketing agencies, lawyers, doctors, workmen, masons, high ranking government officials and even the corner snack guy for when you are hungry. All trusted friends and contacts of your father. A truly valuable gift which will help you tide over any obstacle life might throw at you, with a little help from contacts such as these....they have known two generations of our family already and hopefully now the third generation with you heading the business. Son...these aren't just contacts - this is the key to your growth with the goodwill your father created. That's why he hoped that you will be able to give something like this to your son too."

His eyes glistened with gratefulness and thankfulness to his father. This was truly the most precious and valuable gift a father could ever give his child.

He now faced the future with a surety he didn't have before when he opened that safe. He just hoped that he would be able to give his future son something just like this.