What do you mean this next story is kind of like me when I run off and pull mischief?

I’m the perfect dog. I don’t pull mischief. It’s always Scratchy.

Besides, you got me that dog jail so I can’t run off. Let’s skip this story.

There’s food at the end? Okay, I’m all in.

***

Jesus told a story: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘’Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.”

***

That’s not like me at all. I might eat all my treats but I’d never get rid of my toys.

Fine, I’ll listen.

***

“After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

***

Why doesn’t he just eat the pigs?

***

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called you son; make me like one of your hired men.”

***

Did those hired men get to eat the pigs?

***

“So he got up and went to his father.

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”

***

Why didn’t he just give him a pig?

I am too listening.

***

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.”

***

What good is that going to do? That boy’s hungry!

Alright, I’ll keep listening.

***

“Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast to celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

***

Now that’s more like it. This is my kind of celebration.

***

“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. “Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

***

You mean they had a party and that older son wasn’t invited? I know how that feels.

***

“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.”

***

I guess he was invited after all. He should have gone in. Who could have refused all that good, juicy meat?

I’m listening.

***

“But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

***

You mean that older son never got any meat to eat?

I’d be sore too.

***

“’My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

***

So if I run off and come back will you give me a fattened calf?

I’ve got to figure out how to break out of that dog jail.