And the The Welcome back everyone to 1001 Classic Short Stories and tales. This is your host John

Hagedorn and we have a collection of very short stories and tales here for you

today. One is called a Father's Return. It's a wonderful story that's told in many different versions

in African folklore and it reminds us that the essence of home and heart is one soul

reaching for another and it reminds us that the need of a son for his father ought to be one of the strongest

ties that bind a family.

And now our first story, A Father's Return. There once was a man who considered himself the happiest return.

There once was a man who considered himself the happiest man alive because he had a loving wife

and four healthy sons.

The oldest son was named keen eyes because he could follow tracks through Field and Jungle better than anyone else in the village.

The second son was known as Sharpiers because he knew best the call of every creature in the wilderness.

The third son was named strong arms because he

never failed to win any contest of strength. The fourth son was only a baby, but

his father was sure the boy would grow up to be as skilled and devoted as his brothers.

One morning the family woke to discover the father had disappeared.

By nightfall he had not returned and the next morning brought no sign of his whereabouts.

They talked it over and wondered where he might have gone.

Perhaps he decided to go visit our uncle, said eyes shrug in his shoulders or maybe he went to the festival in the next village suggested sharp ears

or he may have gone into the hills to enjoy the cool mountain breezes, said strong arms.

Their mother remained quiet and shook her head uncertainly.

Another day passed, and then a week, and still their father did not return.

Sometimes his sons wondered out loud where he might have gone.

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