- The Prouds 226
which he had reflected on countless times until many ready
words of wisdom on these issues became deeply rooted in
his mind. Therefore, he said his opinion in a direct, clear,
and organized manner.
He paused again then added, while scratching his
forehead with his left hand, “As for your war with that
king, which is the most important issue, I shall tell you
about the consequences of each option.
“You have two options. You can either avenge your
brother and father or obey your other brother.
“If you choose the first option, you will sleep well
for the rest of your life with glory protecting you from any
humiliation. But you must understand that you will lose
your brother, and both of you will, most likely, fight until
one of you kills the other, and you will blame yourself
every moment for the rest of your life for killing your
brother with your own hands.
“If you choose the other option, you will win your
brother and prevent sedition. Yet, you need to understand
that you will lose your father and other brother and spend
the rest of your life burning in the fire of humiliation and
submission, blaming yourself every moment for the rest of
your life for not avenging their killing.”
Putting his right hand on his chin, he added, “You
have to choose, Jarvis, either to lose your brother or your
father and other brother. You could not have it both ways
and you have to be honest with yourself.”
Then, like an arrow hitting Jarvis’s mind, he
continued, “But remember that your brother is alive and
your father and other brother are dead, and the living ones
are more important than the dead ones. Remember this
well, Jarvis.”