Grandfather’s Will: Three Grandchildren Inherit the Farm—But There’s a Catch

Grandfather Leaves His Farm to Three Grandchildren, but with One Strict Condition — Story of the Day

At their grandfather’s burial, three siblings meet again for the first time in a long time, only to find out he bequeathed them the family farm—with one very important exception. They have to consider if they would be willing to give up their present lives in order to save their childhood house while they struggle with the past.

After his funeral, Ted, Jim, and Rosa were making their way back to their grandfather’s home. Unspoken comments filled the air as each sibling was deep in meditation.

Ted took a quick look at his sister and brother and saw how much they had changed. Rosa’s normally sparkling eyes were now shadowed with sadness, and Jim’s face appeared more weathered, probably from years of intense business dealings.

Reunited after so many years away, it felt odd. Ted had always known the farm as his home, while Jim and Rosa could only recall it as a memory. Ted hesitated for a while, his hand lingering over the handle as they approached the front door.

He inhaled deeply, then pushed it open and they entered. They were reminded of the serious purpose of their visit by the melancholy presence of the lawyer, who stood in the living room.

“What happened to Ryan?” Looking around the room for his nephew, Ted enquired.

Rosa said, “He’s outside with the cows.” Ryan was raised by mom alone as a single mother. “I desired that he not attend the burial. Too young for him to realize that.

Ted gave a nod. “It would be best if he stayed outside. He doesn’t have to recall today in this manner.

Despite their presence, the room felt strangely empty as they took their seats on the couch. The somberly suit-clad lawyer opened his briefcase and took out the will.

The attorney started, “As you know, your grandfather, Colin, wasn’t a man of many words.” Thus, the will is succinct.

Jim raised his hand and looked at his watch. Ted owns the farm, am I right? Rosa and I could receive some cash. Let’s finish this up soon. I had to catch an aircraft.

The attorney gave him a cool look. He clarified, “It’s not exactly like that.” “Colin left the three of you in charge of the farm.”

Rosa scowled. “All three of us? The person who stayed here is Ted. Why don’t we just give him our shares?

“I fear it’s not that easy,” the attorney said. “The three of you get the farm, full and right away. However, there is a requirement that all three of you handle it.

Jim bent over. “I’m not understanding it. What are you trying to say?

“I’ll elaborate,” the attorney went on. “If you all return here and live on the farm, it will be yours.”

Rosa had a surprised expression. What sort of illness is that? We cannot simply turn around.

Jim gave a headshake. “I won’t give up everything to live on a farm. Ted has lived and worked here his entire life.

The will was placed on the table by the attorney. “The farm will be given to the state if even one of you stays put.”

“That is absurd! Our family has owned this farm for many decades,” Rosa objected.

The attorney remarked, “This is what your grandfather wanted,” and then departed the room.

“When are you moving in then?” Ted enquired in a hopeful tone.

“Explain what you mean.” Rosa scowled in response.

Jim firmly stated, “We’re not moving here.”

Ted was saying, “But the farm… it needs us,” as his voice wavered.

Rosa extended her hand to grab Ted’s. Ted, I am aware of how much this property means to you. We are all quite attached to it. However, our lives are now lived elsewhere. Jim needs to manage his business. Ryan is comfortable in his school, and I have my work. He has activities and friends, so uprooting him right now wouldn’t be fair.

Ted, heart heavy, glanced at them both. “Are you actually planning to sell the farm? the area in which we were raised? It’s more than simply land—it’s our youth and our recollections.

Jim gave a headshake. Ted, they’re only memories. We must go on.

Jim and Rosa walked out to find Ryan without saying anything else. Ted, nevertheless, persisted, determined to persuade them otherwise and maintain family ownership of the land.

Upon their return to the house, Jim, Rosa, and Ryan discovered Ted sitting on the porch with a guitar in his hands.

Ted, what are you up to? Rosa enquired, intrigued.

Ted gently plunked the strings. “I just thought I’d look up at them and remember the good old days.”

Jim saw another guitar on the ground next to it. He grinned as he snatched it up. As he tuned his guitar, he remarked, “I guess you’re lucky my flight got delayed until tomorrow.”

As if no time had gone, they began to play, their fingers effortlessly finding the well-known chords. Rosa’s voice, warm and kind, filled the room as she sang the old songs they used to sing together.

Little Ryan started to dance, his tiny feet tapping to the music, unable to resist the beat. With a smile teasing his lips, Ted observed his nephew. The warmth of their shared history seemed to resurrect in the house as the music played.

Ted hoped as he performed that these happy, sentimental times would persuade Jim and Rosa to stay and maintain the property.

“You do realize this won’t convince us to stay, right? That was fun.” Rosa said, her grin dimming from their spontaneous performance.

Ted’s expression darkened. However, why not? We may enjoy the same level of happiness as we did then. We have everything we need here.

Rosa softly shook her head. Ted, I have told you. Ryan’s entire life is spent at school and with his pals.

Ted was unable to contain his annoyance. Ryan was ignorant of the appearance of a sheep! He could learn so much from this farm. What on earth are you discussing?

Jim’s phone rang before Rosa had a chance to reply. Excuse me, but I have to take this, he replied, moving aside.

Rosa put a hand on Ted’s shoulder and moaned. “Ted, thanks for attempting. However, you must acknowledge that we will lose this location.

Ted was left standing by himself when she turned and went inside the home. Jim reappeared, troubled-looking.

“Is everything in order?” Ted enquired, sounding worried.

Jim feigned a grin. He replied, “Yeah, don’t worry about it,” and went inside.

As he headed to the barn to milk the goats, Ted let out a deep sigh, sensing the weight of it all. The little solace came from the old routine. He turned as he heard footsteps getting closer and saw Ryan waiting at the door.

“Is that a canine?” With his eyes wide with wonder, Ryan enquired.

Ted gave a quiet laugh. How come? A canine? He pointed to the goat and said, “No, this is a goat.”

Ryan took a closer look at the goat. With a head tilt, he remarked, “It has strange eyes.”

Ted said, “Yeah, they do look a little funny.” However, they are safe. Do you want to try suckling her?

Ryan excitedly nodded as his eyes brightened. Ted guided his tiny hands as he demonstrated how to accomplish it. Ryan was finally able to fill a small cup after several tries. Ted gave it to him. “You can taste it now.”

With a look of surprise on his face, Ryan took a sip. “I was truly surprised to hear that milk came from the store,” he remarked.

With a smile, Ted shook his head. “In those schools, what exactly do they teach you?”

After pausing for a while, Ryan enquired, “Can you teach me how to play baseball?”

Ted gave him a startled glance. “You don’t have anyone with whom to play?”

Ryan’s tone softened. “I don’t have a dad, but all the kids get taught by their dads.”

Ted had a twinge of regret for the boy. “All right, I’ll teach you how to play tomorrow,” he promised, eager to be of assistance.

Indeed! With excitement lighting up his face, Ryan exclaimed.

Ted observed someone standing outside the barn as he looked up. Rosa was there, grinning as she observed them.

Ted and Ryan set off for the open field behind the barn early the following morning, just as the sun was starting to rise. Ted was toting a bat and an old baseball glove, while Ryan was skipping around gleefully next to him.

Ted demonstrated to Ryan the proper grip for his tiny hands when holding the bat. Ryan, don’t lose sight of the ball. Ted tossed the ball softly in his direction and said, “That’s the most important part.”

Ryan gave it his all, but his swing was missed. He scowled, but Ted smiled encouragingly at him. “Try again; it’s alright. You’ll understand.

After some time of practice, Ryan started to get better and his swings gained more assurance. Jim was sweaty from his morning run when he joined them. He had no choice but to join in after seeing Ted and Ryan. “Would you mind if I took a swing?” he smiled.

Jim took a few practice swings with the bat that Ted had given him before assuming his position. Ted threw the ball, and Jim struck it hard, launching it into the sky.

With a yell, Ryan chased after the ball as quickly as his legs would allow. Throughout the morning, the three of them laughed, played, and briefly forgot about their troubles.

But after breakfast everything became different. Jim and Rosa prepared to go by packing their suitcases. Ted lingered behind, his heart heavy as he sat on the porch.

Feeling the loss of something he couldn’t quite cling onto, he watched them drive away. He was sitting there, deep in concentration, when the attorney arrived with a stack of documents.

“Were you unable to convince them to stay?” the attorney inquired, noting the sorrow in Ted’s eyes.

Ted said, sadness evident in his voice, “No.” “It appears that I will have to bid this place farewell.”

With a sigh, the attorney gave Ted the ownership transfer paperwork. “I sincerely apologize, Ted.”

Ted mumbled, feeling the weight of the papers in his hands, “Yeah, me too.” He gazed at the house that was filled with so many memories, the barn, and the well-known fields. It was hard for him to realize that time was passing.

At that moment, the quiet was broken by the sound of an automobile engine. Ted noticed Jim’s automobile moving into the yard when he looked up. He watched in confusion as Rosa leaped out of the car, her expression intensely urgent.

“Apause!” Rosa ran toward them and shouted, swinging her arms.

Ted got to his feet, his heart racing. Confused, he enquired, “What’s going on?”

With a resolute expression, Jim exited the vehicle. His voice was solid as he proclaimed, “We’re staying!”

Ted’s surprised eyes grew wider. How come? Are you for real?

Rosa gasped and nodded. “All Ryan could talk about on the way to the airport was the farm.” He would not stop talking about how much he would like to move here and join his uncles for baseball. That got me to thinking: schools are here, too. Why not give my kid happiness? He truly needs a man to look up to in his life.

Jim moved in closer. “My partners called yesterday. They intended to purchase this site for construction. After spending the morning here, taking in the sights, the animals, and playing baseball with you guys, I concluded that I just couldn’t pull it off. This location is far too significant.

Excited, Ryan ran up, his face beaming. “So you’re returning to the farm?”

“We’re returning to the farm!” Raising their voices in unison, Jim and Rosa exclaimed with delight.

Ted was unable to control his feelings. He sprung up, and the three of them gave each other a strong hug, sharing a bond reminiscent of the tiny children who had run around these fields years ago, enamored with the farm that had brought them back together.

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