The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the sprawling mansion. Inside the luxurious home, a young boy named Ethan was pondering a question that had been gnawing at his mind all day. His father, Mr. Thompson, was a highly successful banker, but there was one thing Ethan didn't understand.

"Dad, I'm confused," Ethan said, looking at his father with earnest in his clear blue eyes. He was a curious boy of about 13 years, always asking questions about the world around him. The boy's teeth bit his lower lip, a sign that the question was serious.

Mr. Thompson looked up from the newspaper he had been reading and set it aside. He loved his son's curiosity. He peered at Ethan over the rim of his glasses, "What's bothering you, son?"

"The bank's money belongs to the customers, doesn't it?" Ethan asked, forefinger scratching his chin in thought. "How then did we get the house, the Mercedes, and the yacht?"

Mr. Thompson chuckled, the rich, hearty sound filling the room. He knew this day would come, the day Ethan started asking about the banking business. The boy had inherited his analytical mind. "That's a very good question, Ethan."

He decided to use a simple analogy that Ethan would understand. "Son, go to the fridge and get the piece of fat meat there." Ethan, puzzled, did as he was told. The boy returned a few moments later carrying a large slab of marbled steak.

"Now put it back," his father instructed. Ethan, now even more confused, complied. Setting the steak back in the fridge, he shut the door and returned to his father's side.

"I don't understand, Dad," Ethan said, frustration creeping into his voice. He didn't like riddles; he preferred plain and straightforward answers. But his father had a different teaching method.

Mr. Thompson asked, "Do you see any oil on your fingers?" Ethan examined his hands and indeed noticed a visible sheen on his fingers. He wouldn't have noticed if his father hadn't pointed it out.

"That oil," Mr. Thompson began, "is like the profit the bank makes. The meat—that’s the customer's money. We store it, handle it, and in the process, we make a bit of profit."

"So, we're making money off other people's money?" Ethan asked, trying to wrap his head around the concept. His father nodded, waiting for Ethan to process the answer.

Ethan reflected on his father's explanation. He looked at his fingers again, the transparent oil still glistening. He wiped it off on his pants, leaving a conspicuous stain.

He looked back at his father, his expression thoughtful. He finally replied, "I think I understand, Dad. You're saying the bank makes money by taking care of other people's money, right?"

"Exactly, son," Mr. Thompson said, beaming with pride. He always loved these father-son moments. His smile soon faded into a serious expression. "However, it's crucial to remember, the bank's main job is to protect and secure the people's money."

"And the oil is like the service fee?" Ethan asked, still wide-eyed with innocent curiosity. Mr. Thompson nodded, hiding a pleased smile. He always found Ethan's curiosity endearing, and he felt a surge of pride in his son's understanding.

"Yes, son, that's right. The oil is the service fee," Mr. Thompson replied. "Banks provide a safe place for people's money, and in return, they earn a bit from handling it – just like what you saw with the fat meat."

Silence filled the room as Ethan digested his father's explanation. He understood it, though not all of it. But he was satisfied with the answer he received.

"Banking is much more than just handling money, Ethan," Mr. Thompson continued, "It's about trust, integrity, and responsibility. We have to ensure that everyone's money is safe and secure."

He leaned towards his son, a serious expression on his face, "The wealth we have is from years of hard work and dedication. Remember, son – honesty and hard work will always pay off."

Ethan nodded, understanding the weight of his father's words. "I understand, Dad. And I hope to be as successful and honest as you one day." His blue eyes sparkled with the reflection of his dreams.

Mr. Thompson hugged Ethan, a lump forming in his throat. "I know you will be, Ethan," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I know you will be."

That evening, a young boy learned a few precious lessons. He learned about business, ethics, and responsibility. But more than anything, he learned about his father's work and the integrity it required.

Ethan went to sleep that night with newfound wisdom about his father's world. As he drifted off to sleep, he couldn't help but dream of a future where he too could earn his own 'fat meat.'

The next day, Ethan took one look at his stained pants and smiled. The stain wasn’t just a stain—it was a reminder of the wisdom he had gained and the journey he had embarked on. And for that, he was deeply grateful.

As days turned into months and months into years, Ethan kept nurturing his curiosity and learning from his father. And he made sure to remember the valuable lesson about the 'fat meat' and the 'oil.' Because that lesson was the foundation of his future in the banking world.

As he grew older, Ethan continued threading the path his father had paved for him. His knowledge of banking expanded, and so did his desire to become an honest and successful banker like his father.

His journey in the banking world was still far from over, but he had taken his first steps. The young boy of once had now become a young man of wisdom, eager to learn, understand, and experience the world of banking.

Ethan knew that his future held more challenges and lessons. But he also knew that he was well equipped to handle them. So, he kept marching towards his goal, embracing each lesson like the 'oil' from the 'fat meat.'

And that's how Ethan, the curious boy, embarked on his journey to become a successful banker—the journey that started with a simple question about a house, a Mercedes, and a yacht. A journey inspired by a piece of fat meat and an oil-stained hand.

Though many more questions and challenges lay ahead, Ethan had the strength to face them. He had the curiosity to question, the will to learn, and the wisdom handed down from his father. For a young man, he had already learned the most valuable lesson - the hard work, honesty, and integrity that shaped the world of banking.

A stain on a pair of pajama pants may not seem like much. But to Ethan, it represented knowledge, understanding, and the start of a lifelong journey into the world of banking. A journey that he knew would be filled with 'fat meat,' and of course, 'oil.'

As he journeyed on, he would constantly remember the lesson taught by the piece of fat meat and the oil. It would guide him in his journey, reminding him of the trust people placed in him and his responsibility to protect it. And with each day, he'd be a step closer to earning his own 'fat meat.'

So the young, curious boy grew up understanding the banking world. It wasn't an easy path, but with every step he took, he learned, experienced, and matured. All from a simple question - a question about a house, a Mercedes, a yacht, and a piece of fat meat.

The question may have been asked in the innocence of youth, but the answer shaped the destiny of a boy. A boy named Ethan, who one day, would grow up to be as honest, hard-working, and successful a banker as his father. All thanks to the lesson of the fat meat and the oil.

And so, our tale ends not with an end, but with a beginning. A beginning of a journey that was spurred by a profound question. A journey that would lead to the realization of dreams and the fulfillment of a father's wisdom. A journey that started with a piece of 'fat meat' and some oil-stained fingers.