A Tigger
This article declares: This article is a short story, the content is pure fiction, please watch it rationally
preface
Because of the failure of the second uncle's business, he borrowed money from my family one after another, and until now, he has borrowed three times in succession and has not repaid.
Last year, my grandfather passed away, and according to custom, relatives and friends had to come and help. Of course, my second uncle is indispensable, but although he came, he was always on the edge, which made me wonder the purpose of his visit.
As I expected, when the funeral was over, he asked to borrow money again. This time, my father's approach surprised everyone.
01
Last winter, my grandfather passed away. It was a cold winter, the north wind was howling, and every household in the village was immersed in a solemn atmosphere. Grandpa's funeral was held simply and solemnly, and according to the customs of the village, relatives and friends came to help with it, and the family was very busy inside and out.
As the eldest grandson, I also have a lot of things to do at the funeral, and although I feel sad in my heart, I can't take care of so many emotions when I am busy. However, during the funeral, I noticed that there was a person who had been wandering on the edge, as if he was not very social. That person is the second uncle.
The second uncle worked outside in the early years, but then I don't know what happened, the job is gone, the family business has collapsed, and he has become a "loser" who everyone in the village shakes their heads when they mention it. He has borrowed money from my dad three times in a row, and each time he said that it would be a turnaround and he would pay it back when the business eased up, but the money was lent out like a stone sinking into the sea, and there was not even a response.
02
At first, my dad didn't say anything because of family affection, but after the third time the money was lent out, I obviously felt that his attitude towards the second uncle had become much colder. I can't help but worry in my heart, will the second uncle come to my dad to borrow money again at this funeral?
Sure enough, as soon as the funeral ended, while the relatives were gone, the second uncle came to my father and whispered, "Big brother, I want to discuss something with you." ”
I stood by and instinctively felt that this was not good. Sure enough, the second uncle continued: "Recently, money has been tight again, see if you can lend me some more money, and after this period, I will definitely pay it back." ”
My dad's face changed instantly. He was silent for a few seconds, with a bit of complexity in his eyes, as if he was suppressing his inner emotions. In the past, every time my second uncle borrowed money, my dad reluctantly agreed, but this time, I clearly saw that my dad's expression was different from before.
He took a deep breath, raised his head to look at the second uncle, and slowly spoke: "Second brother, I know that your life is not easy, but this is the fourth time. You haven't repaid the money you paid the first few times, and now you come to borrow it again, don't you really plan to pay it back? ”
The second uncle's face was a little embarrassed, and he lowered his head and muttered: "Big brother, it's not that I don't pay it back, it's just that business has been really bad recently, and after a while, I will definitely ...... it."
That's all I heard. Every time, it is like this, "wait for a while", but no one knows when it will be relieved. Grandpa just passed away, this should have been a moment for our brothers to support each other and comfort each other, but the second uncle mentioned borrowing money at such a moment, which was really chilling.
I really thought my dad would refuse, after all, he seemed so calm and even a little serious this time. However, to my surprise, my dad suddenly sighed, and after a moment of silence, he said, "That's it, second, if you come over today, I won't embarrass you." When I heard this, my heart suddenly became nervous, and I thought to myself, should my father be soft-hearted again?
My dad continued, "I can lend you the money again, but we'll have to make it clear. After lending it to you this time, let's calculate the amount you have borrowed before and after, and I will write an IOU to you, and you will press your fingerprint. When life gets better, you will pay it back slowly, even if it is a thousand yuan a year. So that everyone knows what to expect. ”
As soon as these words came out, my second uncle and I were stunned. I didn't expect my dad to handle this in such a way. The second uncle was surprised at first, obviously he didn't expect my father to ask for an IOU. He said hesitantly: "Big brother, we are brothers, what kind of IOU do you write?" ”
My dad's tone was still calm: "Second brother, it is precisely because we are brothers that we have to make things clear." You see, in the past few years, we have borrowed three times without a letter, and when you have an IOU, you have a number in your own heart, so you won't forget about it. ”
After hearing this, a look of embarrassment flashed on the second uncle's face, and he seemed reluctant, but he was embarrassed to refuse directly. He looked up at my dad, saw that my dad was firm, hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded: "Okay, big brother, listen to you." ”
My dad asked my second uncle to sit down, took out a pen and paper, and began to write down all the money he had borrowed one by one, and the total amount was really a lot. I stood next to me and secretly admired my dad's handling of it. He neither directly refused nor borrowed again without principle, but solved the problem in a more reasonable way.
After the IOU was written, my dad handed it to my second uncle and asked him to press his fingerprint. Although the second uncle was a little reluctant, he finally complied. My dad put away the IOU, patted the second uncle on the shoulder, and slowed down his tone: "Second brother, in our brothers' lives, there is nothing big that we can't get by." Don't let money affect your feelings, as long as you have the heart, let's take our time, don't worry. ”
The second uncle nodded, a trace of complicated emotion flashed in his eyes. Maybe he also understands that by doing this, my dad is actually saving face for him and giving him a chance.
03
After that day, it seemed to be over, but I still had it in my mind. In fact, the second uncle's performance has always disappointed me. He had a good job when he was young, but later because he was greedy for high returns, he rashly quit his job to start a business, and the result was a failure.
In order to support him, the family used up their savings and even owed some debts. But even so, he never really reflected on his problems, and always felt that he was unlucky.
And my dad has always been the pillar of the family. Although the second uncle came to borrow money again and again, he never really turned his face, but I can feel that my father actually has an opinion about the second uncle in his heart. At my grandfather's funeral this time, my second uncle asked to borrow money again, which has touched my father's bottom line.
However, my father resolved the conflict by writing an IOU, which did not directly intensify the relationship between the two brothers, and made the second uncle realize that borrowing money is not a matter of course. I feel that this is not just a matter of borrowing money, but more of a test of family responsibility.
More than a year passed in a flash, and the second uncle later improved a little and started a small business. Although his life is still not rich, he does fulfill his promise and will repay part of the money at the end of each year. It's not much, but at least it's a change in him.
Once, I heard my father talking to my mother about this, and there was a hint of relief in my tone: "The second child is finally sensible, this person, it's not terrible to encounter setbacks, but what I'm afraid of is never willing to face it." ”
Mom smiled: "You, you're still soft-hearted, for so many years, so much money has been lent out, and I've never seen you really angry." My dad shook his head and said slowly, "Between brothers, the relationship is the most important. Borrowing money is a trivial matter, but if you hurt the brotherhood for these small things, it is really not worth it. In this life, no matter who has a good life or a bad life, family affection cannot be lost. ”
Hearing this, my heart was touched. Although my dad always seemed calm and serious in front of me, in his heart, family affection was always the most important. Money can be earned back, but once the brotherly relationship is broken, it can never be repaired.
That day I understood that every decision my dad made was out of cherishing and responsibility for his family. He understands that the problem of money will eventually pass, but family affection needs to be maintained for a long time. This is his responsibility as an eldest brother and his responsibility as the head of the family.
Now, my relationship with my second uncle is much closer than before. Although he once let me down, after more than a year of change, I saw his efforts and repentance. Perhaps, some people really need time and frustration to understand what is most important.
And I also learned a truth from this incident: family affection is always more precious than money. Money can be borrowed, but feelings can't be hurt. As my dad said, brotherhood is the most important thing in our lives.
This article declares: This article is a short story, the content is pure fiction, please watch it rationally