Alas, a solution was on the horizon!  Having embraced sadness over the evil roads of vengefulness, spite, and bitter feelings, he was lead through a difficult and painful test.  He had passed, and thus, a solution would come.  He would confront his father boldly and honestly.  He was afraid.  What would he do if his father refused?  Ravi decided that he would continue to be saddened, but he would never be bitter and vengeful against his father.  He would never stray off onto the side of evil, and start thinking ill thoughts for his father.  Thus, he passed the test, and nature was ready to reward him with the things he craved for the most in life--power, respect, and a sense of meaningfulness.  Although he would have a rewarding future, it wouldn’t be an easy ride.  Many struggles and challenges would be in store for Ravi.

After speaking with his father very frankly, Paresh talked about the situation with his wife.

“I can’t offer him a senior role.  He’s not bright enough!”  exclaimed Paresh.

“He’s our only son.  One day, when you are not here, who will run the business?” asked Rekha, Paresh’s wife.

“Not him!  Before I die, I will sell it.  He will run the business into the ground!”

“How do you know when you will die?” asked Ravi’s mother.

“And if you do sell it,” she continued, “what do you think he will do with the money you leave him?  He will open up some other business.”

“And run it into the ground!” Paresh thought to himself silently.

“Besides, “ she added, “I think Ravi is brighter than you give him credit for.  I’m sure in time he will learn everything he needs to know to be successful.”

Paresh nodded his head, although on the inside he was not at all convinced. 

Rekha raised many great points, and Paresh started thinking very hard about the problem. 

Maybe Ravi should learn that he’s not capable.  But how?   Paresh came up with a brilliant solution.

Paresh would offer Ravi capital to start a new venture.  Naturally, the venture would fail.  Then his son would come to his senses, and realize that he should stick to basic accounting.  Maybe Ravi would have  sharp children, and the legacy could continue through them.  Paresh felt hopeful that he might live long enough to see his grandchildren into adulthood, and pass on the keys on to capable hands.

Since Mr. Rawal was fairly well-to-do, he was ready to throw away the start-up costs of a new venture because he thought that it was for a good cause--to awaken Ravi to the fact that he was not smart enough to run any business.

As Paresh disclosed his plans to Rekha that night, she was very saddened that her husband had so little faith in Ravi, and felt that if Ravi failed, the loss of self-confidence would be too detrimental for Ravi’s mental health.  Nevertheless, Paresh was stubborn in his stance.

“I really don’t think this is the right approach, Paresh,” she said.

Rekha worried very much, and felt that there might actually be a gentle way of teaching Ravi how to grow his skills so that one day he would be able to handle the business. 

“If he succeeds, great.  If he doesn’t, great.  I don’t care, either way,” Paresh replied.

“This is his chance to prove himself,” he added.

Rekha worried for her son, and hoped and prayed for his success.

Hence, Mr. Rawal offered to pay Ravi a lump sum of money that could be used for start-up costs, with the condition that Ravi should eventually pay back the start-up costs, interest-free.  There was one more condition.  Ravi was not to ask his father for any more money.  Ravi had to succeed with the money that his father would give him, and there would be no additional funds available from his dad in the future.

As Paresh cut the check, Ravi’s face beamed with thankfulness.

“I won’t let you down dad!” he said.

“I’m not worried about that, “ replied Paresh.

He almost seemed to be saying that there was something else that he was worried about.

“Hey, how long have you been married now, Ravi?”

Ravi looked a little puzzled, as the subject seemed off topic.

“Two years,” he said, “Why?”

“You know, I was married with your mother for no more than 9 months before we had you,” said Paresh.

“Oh,” Ravi said.  It was a very lengthy “Oh.”

Ravi’s face beamed with cheer and good humor.

“Nowadays, everything is planned, dad.  You know that,” continued Ravi. 

“We are going to have one day, but we are not in any hurry yet,” he added.

Paresh looked disappointed.

“When do you think you will be having one?” asked Paresh.

“Oh,” Ravi said.  It was a very lengthy “Oh.”

Ravi’s face beamed with cheer and good humor.

“Not too long, I hope?” his father asked.

“In a couple of years,” Ravi replied.