Long time back, two brothers came to a wise man to get their dispute resolved.
The wise man, being wise, asked each of them to relate their story individually and asked the other to keep quiet when one was speaking.
The elder brother started, "Our father was a crook and a thief". The other nodded at his brothers statement, but kept quiet.
The wise man asked the elder brother to explain his statement.

He continued, "We were a poor family when we were growing up. Our father worked in a train and locomotive workshop. After his shift was over, our father would take pieces of scrap metal like copper, brass, steel etc and bring them home by hiding them in his lunch box".
The younger brother, kept quiet but he nodded at the right statements, showing his agreement to what his elder brother was saying.
"The metal that our father brought home, was sometimes sold to buy food, clothes or other things for the family", elder brother said.
"Over time, some extra pieces of metal started accumulating in one of the old rooms downstairs. And by the time our father retired, the room was half full of scrap metal which was worth a fortune. Our father died few months back and we now have a dispute on division of the scrap metal. We would like you to help us".

The wise man looked at the younger brother and asked if he had anything to add to his brothers statement.
The younger brother said, "Nothing much, except that we would really like this to get resolved soon".

After much thinking, the wise man told them that it is up to them to do what they want. He added that they can divide using a third person to evaluate the worth and then divide accordingly or just divide on faith that even if one of them gets a bigger chuck, it is going to his own blood and not worry too much about the money.

The two brothers left and the wise man went deep into thought. After recollecting his thoughts for few minutes, he stood up as if made his mind about something and walked away. He never met the two brothers again.

Now, if you are with me so far, then this parable may sound incomplete.
I will complete it for you. This incident actually occurred circa 1977, and it deeply moved the wise man.
Years later, when the wise man's son grew up, he told him what decision he made that day.

He told his son, "The two brothers started their case by stating that their father was a crook and a thief. This is the most disrespecting way in which they remembered their father. Their father’s act may be wrong, but his intentions were selfless. He killed his conscious to make sure his kids do not see the hardships they would".

"That day, my son, I made up my mind that I want you to remember me in good light and never feel ashamed of how I led my life. I also made another decision that I will not let a single penny be spent on my son which I have not earned legitimately. My actions should never be cause of shame to my descendants. Through my actions, I want you to remember me with pride that I am your father and you are my son".

Allow me to add another twist to the story. The wise man I am referring to is my father (yes ... I think he is very wise).
Of course, you may have figured out, it was me to whom he said these things.
Who were the two brothers, you ask. Well, I will keep that to myself.

Every time I think about this incident and look back, I am filled with pride and respect for my dad as to how he made that decision and changed his entire life around me.
He has always (yes always) been my conscience - told me the right thing, whether I wanted to do it or not.

Now, I have my own kids. Every time I look at them, my heart fills with the fire that burnt in my dad’s heart. I am motivated to be like my him.
Barring the teenage years of my kids (where I am expecting they would hate me anyways), I hope they feel a sense of pride in me as I do for my dad, when they grow up.

A friend once asked me, "What makes you a good parent?"
After thinking about it for few minutes, I answered, "The fear. The fear that you may fail as a good parent, makes you a good parent".

Find that special little devil in your life, give them a hug. If you don't have one yet, remember ... they are little angels.