Now Jesus’ message was disguised
In stories by which he surprised
The crooked teachers of the law
Who liked to boast that they were more
Acceptable to God because
They kept the finest micro-clause
Of everything that Moses taught
A cut above the rest they thought
So Jesus told this parable
A fable of life arable
A man, two sons, some land, let’s say
Oh, Cain and Abel starts that way
No, not that one, you’ll get my gist
More Jacob-Esau with a twist
Just listen now, pin back your ears
My story’s packed with fears and tears
The younger son packed up his share
And hit the road without a care
In foreign parts he blew the lot
When all was gone he lost the plot
The life of freedom he desired
Led to a pig-sty it transpired
The porcine stench deep in his clothes
Would make him retch and hold his nose
His father’s servants he despised
Were better treated he surmised
He headed home to demonstrate
His change of heart and to placate
His father’s righteous burning wrath
Please let me tend your cattle trough
But when the father saw his child
Was heading home his heart ran wild
The father knew the boy would come
And sped to greet his wayward son
With lavish hugs he kissed and blessed
And would not hear what he confessed
Go fetch a robe, a ring, some shoes
Today we dance, forget the blues
The calf has reached its sell-by-date
My son is home, let’s celebrate!
The older son to duty bowed
His father’s fields with anger ploughed
Like Cain his sacrifice betrayed
Hypocrisy the game he played
The joyless, heartless reprobate
Had little cause to celebrate
And when the band struck up a tune
This older son began to fume
The father knew he would not come
So went to woo his wayward son
Your brother’s home it’s time to dance
Come join the feast and change your stance
What! Celebrate this son of yours
Who spent your wealth on foreign whores?
Of story’s end there is no trace
Cain or Esau? Hate or grace?
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