Utterly downcast and destitute, he returned home, knelt before his father, and said: 'Father, I have sinned deeply! I am no longer worthy to be your son; let me be your meanest servant.' Then his father lifted him up, pressed him to his heart, had him robed in costly garments, ordered a calf to be slaughtered and the wineskins to be filled in readiness for a banquet, and invited all his family to it that they might rejoice with him.

All came except his other son.

He sent a message to say that he had faithfully served his father all his life, yet no calf or buck had been slaughtered on his account.

He found more honour in eating bread and figs alone in his room than in sitting at the banquet table with idle fellows and spendthrifts.

Then his father sent to him and said: 'Wrong, wrong you are! Your brother was lost and is found.