
The Forgotten Son
By Storybird

03 Sep, 2023

America was an individual of much diversity. Just like his country, he had a family blended from various personalities, each characterized by their unique strengths and weaknesses. He was a firm believer in the principle of unity in diversity.

His firstborn, Delaware, was matured beyond his years and took the responsibility of his siblings seriously. He was like a second father to them, guiding them and caring for them.

Among his children, New Mexico was the quiet one. He preferred to stay within his shell, almost forgotten among the crowd of siblings. However, his lack of spotlight did not appeal to him.

On the contrary, Texas was flamboyant. He always stood out with his loudmouth and bright personality. He was considered the golden boy, which he loved and adored.

One day, New Mexico returns from school with a dejected look on his face. Having failed in his English test, he knew he was bound for a good grounding from America.

Mustering up the courage, he walks up to America, his test paper in hand. He hands it over, revealing his dismal performance. America's face darkens, and he sighs in disappointment.

Grounding New Mexico as a form of punishment, America tried to pass on the message that lack of seriousness in academics would not be tolerated. However, his heart ached for his son.

Meanwhile, Texas strolled into the room. He wore a confident smirk on his face, knowing that his father had a soft spot for him. He had the Algebra test result in his pocket, a grade he dares not to show.

With a bold lie, Texas claimed that he passed his Algebra test. America looked at him with pride, unaware of the dishonesty his golden boy just portrayed.

Days went by, and the lie by Texas remained a secret. He managed to keep up his image, while New Mexico served his grounding sentence diligently, never complaining about the unfairness.

But secrets don't last forever. Eventually, Texas's lie was exposed during a Parents' Meeting. America was shell-shocked. His golden boy, he believed, would never resort to dishonesty.

Disappointment eclipsed his pride. He felt betrayed, and a pinch of guilt for punishing New Mexico who was honest, over a son who had lied boldly to his face.

Texas was now the one grounded. He felt ashamed, but more at being caught rather than his dishonest behavior. America was heartbroken and pondered how he would deal with his golden boy.

Meanwhile, New Mexico quietly watched, seeing the sadness in his father's eyes. He felt a pang of sympathy for Texas, despite his unfair treatment. He approached America, wanting to help.

He suggested America to give Texas a second chance. He knew how important it was to be loved and accepted by their father. After all, everyone made mistakes.

Taken aback by New Mexico's maturity and compassion, America felt a sense of pride. His forgotten son, he realized, had the heart of gold that he had overlooked all this while.

America decided to have a heart-to-heart talk with Texas. He confessed his disappointment, but also emphasized that it was never too late to make amends. He urged Texas to apologize, not for him, but for himself.

Texas took the words to heart. His ego was bruised, but he realized the value of honesty. He apologized to his father, promising to work hard and regain his trust.

The incident was a turning point for the family. While Texas learned humility, it brought attention to New Mexico's resilience and maturity which were often overlooked. America began to value his quiet son more.

New Mexico realized that his discomfort in the background was his comfort zone. He did not need the spotlight to be acknowledged. His actions spoke volumes and earned him the respect he deserved.

Texas, on the other hand, began to realize that being the golden boy was not about being perfect. It was about being true to oneself and accepting the mistakes made along the way.

America learned a crucial lesson that day. He understood the importance of seeing beyond the obvious. He acknowledged that each of his fifty children, irrespective of their differences, deserved equal love and attention.

The experience brought America closer to his children. They learned to confide in him, and he learned to listen. A new bond was formed, one that was stronger and more understanding.

Delaware's role as the eldest brother became more prominent. He now understood how important it was to acknowledge every sibling, regardless of their personality or shortcomings.

America's family was no longer divided by the spotlight. Each child had their unique place, their unique strengths and weaknesses. They learned to accept each other and work together.

Just like the country he was named after, America's family was an amalgamation of diverse elements. They learned, grew, and evolved together, understanding that unity was indeed their strength.

The journey, albeit difficult, led to a better family dynamic. It was a simple reminder that recognition came not from being the loudest or the brightest but from being true to oneself.

Each child, bearing the name of a state, now knew that they were a part of a bigger family. Just as every state contributed to making America a great nation, every child added to their unique family.

From the parable of America and his 50 states, the forgotten son rose to share the spotlight. New Mexico taught them the value of honesty and humility, lessons that stayed with the family.

As America looked at his diverse brood, he realized that each of them had a role to play in their family's story. Just like every state had its essence, each of his children added to the family's blend.

It was this incident that made America appreciate the power of unity in diversity. It was a reminder of the strength that lay in accepting and learning from each other's differences.

Today, America's family lived by the code of understanding, love, and acceptance. The forgotten son was no longer forgotten, and the golden boy learned the true value of being golden.

This was the story of a unique family, a family that was a reflection of the diverse yet united states of America. A family that learned, grew, and pulled through, together.

To this day, the tale passes down generations, as a parable of unity, acceptance, and love. After all, it's not the name that makes a family, but the bond that ties them together.

America's family was a testament to the silent power of an underdog, a symbol of unity in diversity, and a beacon of hope, reminding everyone that faults are mere roads to improvement.