The Four Brothers is a Financial Independence story by Doug Weller. It tells the story of how enterprise, frugality, and wise-investing may not be enough to be rich.

Stories can be powerful for illustrating the lessons of financial independence. In this series, in each financial independence story you will meet explore a familiar fairy tale world with remarkable characters and magic. There’s action, and drama, and love, and sometimes a happy ending. Enjoy each financial independence story.

You can find another Financial Independence Story here.

Now, are you sitting comfortably? In that case, let’s begin…

The Four Brothers – a Financial Independence story – by Doug Weller

There lived four penniless brothers who wanted to be rich. One day, the brothers all met at the home of their father to celebrate his seventieth birthday.

“Look at us,” the first brother said, sadly.

“We are all poor,” the second brother said, miserably.

“And we want to be rich,” the third brother said, sorrowfully.

“What can be done?” asked the forth brother, despairingly.

Before any of the brother’s could answer the question, their old father spoke to them.

“I have lived my whole life poor. The only things I have of value in my life are my four sons and this oil lamp,” he said.

He produced a tarnished old oil lamp from an otherwise empty cupboard.

The forth brother took the oil lamp from his father, and said, “I could not afford a birthday present for you. But the least I can do is to polish your lamp.” So, he polished the oil lamp his father. And, to the surprise of everybody, from out of the lamp burst out a genie.

“I am the genie of this lamp and I will grant a wish to any person who asks for one.”

The first brother stepped forward. “I want to be rich,” he said. 

The genie nodded and waved his hand. “I grant you the great gift of enterprise. Use it wisely.”

The second brother stepped forward. “I want to be rich too,” he said. 

The genie nodded and waved his hand. “I grant you the great of frugality. Use it wisely.”

The third brother stepped forward. “I want to be rich,” he said. 

The genie nodded and waved his hand. “I grant you the great gift of wise investing. Use it wisely.”

The forth brother stepped forward. “I want to be rich,” he said. 

The genie shook his head. “Oh, did I not mention that I may only grant three wishes?” he asked.

“No, you didn’t,” the forth brother said.

“Oh, sorry. I alway forget about that,” the genie said, and in a puff of smoke the genie vanished back inside the lamp.