The Boy and His Father


A boy was on trial for a crime he had committed. His guardian—his father—was present in the courtroom. But unlike other guardians, the father’s demeanor was strikingly detached. He acted as if his son’s wrongdoing had nothing to do with him—like he had already given up. Noticing this, the judge called the boy forward, had him kneel before his father, and said,

“Say ‘I love you’ to your father ten times. Go ahead.”

The boy looked utterly bewildered. His lips wouldn’t move. When he remained silent, the judge warned him sternly that his refusal to cooperate could affect the ruling. After a long, tense pause, the boy finally opened his mouth.

“I love you. I love you. I love you. . . .”

As the boy repeated those words, the father—who had been cold and motionless throughout the trial—began to tremble. And the moment the tenth “I love you” was spoken, he wrapped his arms around his son and whispered, “I’m sorry.” The boy, through tears, responded, “I’m sorry, too. I was wrong.” By the time they left the courtroom, their faces were wet with tears—and they were holding hands tightly.

The words “I love you” can melt even the hardest of hearts. Nothing is stronger than the power of warmth and tenderness.
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