10/29/2026 from Daily Jokes
#22821
Mrs. Higgins was a sweet, spry woman in her late eighties, but her eyesight had faded to the point where she could barely distinguish a cat from a coat rack. Her three sons, all successful and fiercely competitive, decided it was time to prove who was truly the “best son.” They agreed on a contest: whoever gave their mother the most impressive gift would win the title of Favorite Child.
The first son, Richard, a real estate mogul, went all out. He purchased a sprawling, 15-room Mediterranean-style mansion with marble floors and a view of the ocean. He presented the keys to his mother with a flourish. “Mom, this is for you. No more cramped apartments. You have space to breathe!”
Mrs. Higgins ran her hands over the cold marble, squinting into the vast, echoing emptiness. “Richard, my dear, the house is just gorgeous,” she said politely. “But it’s really much too big for me. I only live in one room anyway, and it’s far too large for me to clean and take care of. I really don’t need the house, but thank you anyway.” She handed the keys back. Richard was devastated.
Not to be outdone, the second son, Arthur, a luxury car dealer, bought her a brand-new, silver Mercedes-Benz S-Class, complete with a uniformed chauffeur named Jenkins who would be on call 24/7. “Mom,” Arthur said, opening the door. “Travel in style. You never have to lift a finger.”
Mrs. Higgins sat in the leather seat, feeling the plush upholstery. “Arthur, the car is beautiful,” she admitted. “It has everything you could ever want. But I don’t drive, and I really don’t like that driver. He looks at me funny. So please, return the car.” Arthur was furious.
Now it was up to the third son, Billy. Billy wasn’t rich like his brothers, but he was clever. He knew his mother loved her faith, so he spent a fortune on a rare, highly trained African Grey Parrot. This parrot had been trained for 15 years by monks to memorize the entire Bible. You could mention any verse, chapter, or book, and the parrot would quote it word-for-word in a perfect, soothing voice. It was the ultimate spiritual companion for a nearly blind woman.
Billy brought the magnificent bird in its golden cage to his mother’s small apartment. “Mom,” he said proudly. “This isn’t just a pet.
This is a miracle. Ask it anything from the Scriptures, and it will answer.”
Mrs. Higgins smiled warmly, reaching out to touch the cage. “Oh, Billy, what a thoughtful gift,” she said.
A week later, the brothers gathered for dinner to hear the final verdict. Richard and Arthur were smug, sure their mother had realized the value of their expensive gifts.
“Well, Mom,” Richard asked. “What did you think of the mansion?”
“Too big,” she said.
“And the Mercedes?” Arthur asked.
“Don’t like the driver,” she replied.
They both turned to Billy. “And what about your gift, Billy? Did she love the parrot?”
Billy beamed. “She said it was the most thoughtful gift of all.”
Richard and Arthur rolled their eyes. “A bird? Really?”
Just then, Mrs. Higgins leaned forward and whispered to Billy, “Son, I just want to thank you again for that wonderful present. The chicken was small, but delicious.”
