In this personal account, the writer shares a family story that mirrors the tale of two brothers who went bankrupt trying to inherit from their sisters. The writer’s father, along with his two brothers, faced a similar predicament in their rural hometown. The eldest brother and the writer’s father, living away from the hometown, would frequently return to honor their deceased parents. However, the youngest uncle, residing in the countryside, manipulated the land and property under their parents’ name, thereby seizing the shares of his older brothers.
When the eldest brother and the writer’s father confronted the youngest uncle about this, they were met with insults and threats. Desiring only a small piece of land to house the ancestral altar, they chose to relent and not escalate the situation to avoid family embarrassment.
Unfortunately, 10 years later, the youngest uncle’s family disintegrated. His wife passed away, one of his sons died at a young age due to illness, and the remaining son succumbed to severe depression. The daughters also faced hardships. Despite the youngest uncle’s efforts to amass wealth and land, his family was unable to find peace.
Recognizing the potential conflicts and hardships that come with inheritance, the writer’s parents decided to divide their houses, land, and assets equally and early among their children. However, the writer notes that in some families, only sons are given land, as observed in the writer’s wife’s family. Despite this, the writer’s wife’s sister-in-law graciously takes care of the parents when they are weak or sick.
The writer reflects on the story of the youngest uncle, questioning the purpose of his greed when happiness was not attained in the end. The writer’s opinion, translated from the original reader’s story, suggests that open communication and fair distribution of inheritance can help avoid family conflicts and potential tragedies.
