Moral Inheritance

But after some time, Rahim Bakhsh felt that his brothers were not taking as much interest in the business as they should. At first, only two options appeared to be open to him. Either, as the eldest and owner of the business, he could continue to keep everything firmly in his own hands and remove his brothers from their positions of trust, thus incurring their immediate wrath and unending hostility, or he could allow things to go on as they were and then ultimately face the consequences of allowing a joint family concern to be irresponsibly run. Inevitably it would mean mutual grievances coming to a head, a great deal of bitterness and a final splitting up of the business. Rahim Bakhsh gave this matter careful consideration for several days, then a third option having become clear to him, he gathered his brothers together and put the whole matter before them. His suggestion was that the best course would be for each brother to become the proprietor of his own department and then to run it independently of the main business. "In this way," he said, "Our father's spirit will be at peace and it is my sincere hope that this will prove a blessing to us all, for it is only by the grace of God that no disaster has as yet befallen us." All of his brothers then expressed their gratitude and approval, and gave him a free hand to apportion the business as he saw fit. After a brief discussion, it was decided that the fairest way would be to draw lots for the different departments and the distribution was subsequently carried out to everyone’s satisfaction. All the four brothers then set themselves to their tasks with a will and a way, working hard day in and day out. And now their children have been brought into the business to assist them. All the four brothers have improved their relationship with one another, being at all times prepared to give unstintingly of their assistance. Although they have all had separate accommodation built for themselves, Rahim Bakhsh still commands