Legacy of Loss

A wealthy and influential man named Thord Overaas experiences a profound transformation after losing his only son in a tragic boating accident. What begins as a story of pride and status-seeking becomes a powerful tale of grief, redemption, and the discovery of true value in life.

• Thord first visits the priest to arrange a private baptism for his son Finn
• Sixteen years later, Thord returns when his son is to be confirmed at the head of his class
• Eight years after that, Thord proudly announces his son will marry the richest girl in the parish
• While making wedding arrangements, Thord's son drowns in a lake accident
• A year after the tragedy, a physically and spiritually transformed Thord returns to donate half his wealth
• The priest observes that Thord's son has finally brought him a true blessing through this transformation

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Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to "The Father"
• 0:16 Thord presents son for baptism
• 1:44 Confirmation at sixteen years
• 2:41 Arranging the wedding
• 4:00 The tragic boating accident
• 5:43 Thord's transformation and redemption
• 7:11 Episode conclusion

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:01

Hello, are you tired? You will be. This is Ron Reeds and this is the Father by Bjornstjern Bjornsson. The man whose story is here to be told was the wealthiest and most influential person in his parish. Story is here to be told was the wealthiest and most influential person in his parish. His name was Thord Overass. He appeared in the priest's study one day, tall and earnest. I've gotten a son, said he, and I wish to present him for baptism. What shall his name be? Finn, after my father and the sponsors. They were mentioned and proved to be the best men and women of Thord's relations in the parish. Is there anything else? Inquired the priest and looked up. The peasant hesitated a little. I'd like very much to have him baptized by himself, said he finally, that is to say on a weekday, next Saturday, at twelve o'clock noon. Is there anything else? Inquired the priest. There is nothing else. The peasant twirled his cap as though he were about to go. Then the priest rose there is yet this, however, said he, and walking towards Thord, he took him by the hand and looked gravely into his eyes. God grant that the child may become a blessing to you. On the 16th.

Speaker 1: 1:44

One day, 16 years later, thord stood once more in the priest's study. Really, you carry your age astonishing well, thord, said the priest, for he saw no change whatever in the man. That is because I have no troubles, replied Thord. To this. The priest said nothing, but after a while he asked is your pleasure this evening? I have come this evening about that son of mine who is to be confirmed tomorrow. What the boy would have when he takes his place in the church tomorrow. He will stand number one. So I have heard, and here are ten dollars for the priest. Is there anything else I can do for you, inquired the priest, fixing his eyes on Thord. There is nothing else. Then Thord went out.

Speaker 1: 2:41

Eight years more rolled by and then one day a noise was heard outside of the priest's study, for many men were approaching and at their head was Thord who entered first. Priest looked up and recognized him. You come, well, attended this evening, thord, said he. I am here to request that the banns may be published for my son. He is about to marry Karen Storledon, daughter of Goodmund, who stands here beside me. Why, that is the richest girl in the parish, so they say, replied the peasant, stroking back his hair with one hand. The priest sat a while as if in deep thought, then entered the names in his book without making any comments and the men wrote their signatures underneath. Thord laid three dollars on the table. One is all I am to have. Said the priest, I know that very well, but he is my only child. I want to do it handsomely. The priest took the money. This is now the third time, thord, that you have come here on your son's account. But now I am through with him, said Thord, and folding up his pocketbook, he said farewell and walked away. The men slowly followed him.

Speaker 1: 4:00

A fortnight later, the father and son were rowing across the lake one calm, still day to store linen to make arrangements for the wedding. This thwart is not secure, said the son and stood up to straighten the seat in which he was sitting. At the moment, the board he was standing on slipped from under him. He threw out his arms, uttered a shriek and fell overboard. Take hold of the oar, shouted the the father, springing up to his feet and holding out the oar. But when his son had made a couple of efforts, he grew stiff. Wait a moment, cried the father and began to row towards his son. Then the sun rolled over on his back and gave the father one long look and sank. Thord could scarcely believe it. He held the boat still and stared at the spot where his son had gone down, as though he must surely come to the surface again. There rose some bubbles, then some more, and finally one large one that burst and the lake lay there as smooth and bright as a mirror again.

Speaker 1: 5:00

For three days and three nights people saw the father rowing around and around the spot without taking either food or sleep. He was dragging the lake for the body of his son, and toward morning of the third day he found it and carried it up in his arms over the hills to his guard. It might have been about a year from that day when the priest, late one autumn evening, heard someone in the passage outside the door carefully trying to find the latch. The priest opened the door and walked in a tall, thin man with bowed form and white hair. The priest looked long at him before he recognized him. It was Thord. Are you out walking so late, said the priest and stood still in front of him. Ah, yes, it is late, said Thord and took a seat. The priest sat down also, as though waiting.

Speaker 1: 5:57

A long silence followed At last. Thord said I have something with me that I would like to give to the poor. I want it to be invested as a legacy in my son's name. He rose and laid the money on the table and sat down again. The priest counted it. It is a great deal of money, said he. It is half the price of my guard. I sold it today. The priest sat long in silence At last. He asked, but gently, what do you propose to do now, thord? Something better? They sat there for a while, thord with downcast eyes, the priest with his eyes fixed on Thord Presently. The priest said slowly and softly I think your son has at last brought you a true blessing. Yes, I think so myself, said Thord, looking up while two big tears coursed slowly down his cheeks. This has been the Father by Bjorn Bjornson. You've been listening to Ron Reads Boring Books. Thank you. Please like and subscribe and leave a five star rating and a review. Thank you.