Six months ago, a great tragedy struck our family: my father passed away.
A while after the funeral, my father’s brother, Uncle Arthur, came to visit us. Uncle Arthur rarely visited. He hardly kept in touch with my dad, and while they never argued, their relationship had always been distant and cold. Each of them simply led their own lives.
How was your journey? I asked him. And why do you call me by my first name? Well, because Im your favourite uncle, of course! Uncle Arthur replied with a sweet smile, as though he genuinely believed it.
Uncle Arthur hadnt said he was coming, so we were caught off guard by his arrival. In fact, none of us had spoken to him since the funeral. He hadnt even called once. Then, suddenly, he showed up.
While we were sitting down for tea, Uncle Arthur asked, So, how are we going to divide the inheritance? Just us three? Theres no one else, is there? Inheritance? my mum said, startled, once she regained her composure.
There was, in fact, an inheritance. We had a lovely flat, a large and beautiful house in the countryside, and two cars. Mum had tried to persuade me to sell the house so she could buy me a flat in the city where I studied, but I didnt want to rush into anything. We decided to take our time.
Inheritance? Well, the estate my brother left me, obviously! Uncle Arthur replied. You know that, if Martha and I werent here, youd have received the inheritance. So really, you havent any right to any of it! But Im his brother! I have a right to the inheritance! No, you dont! The law is on our side! And is that fair?
Uncle Arthur was clever; he knew perfectly well that under the law, he had no entitlement to anything, so he tried to play on our consciences. But none of his words or actions made any sense to us. Dad and Arthur had never been close, so Arthur had no claim on my fathers estate.
When my dad became ill, he made it clear that everything should go to mum and me. He had no intention of dividing our property with anyone else.
And as for your conscience, Arthur, even with you! You know that very well. You were never close to your brother! Exactly! Its like some bad movieman gets married, his wife inherits everything, and parents, siblings, nephews dont get a penny!
Uncle Arthur tried to make us feel guilty, forcing us to agree to split the estate three ways. Enough! Mum said, We wont discuss this any further with you.
After Uncle Arthur left, Mum and I locked the house and went to our city flat. We knew Uncle Arthur too wellhe wasnt going to let it drop so easily. There was plenty at stake: a third of a country manor, a third of a nice city flat, and a third of two cars. It was quite a decent sum of money.
Uncle Arthur took us to court. He was hopeful of winning. Yet the law was firmly on our side. What did he hope to gain?
In the end, the lesson was clear: family isn’t built on inheritance or material wealth, but on genuine connection and kindness. Pursuing what isnt rightfully yours brings only bitternessa reminder that true closeness matters far more than possessions.
