Paco

A story is told around the world about a Spanish father and his son.  The son’s name was Francisco but his family called him by the affectionate childhood nickname, “Paco.”

One day the father and son had a terrible fight.  Paco rebelled against his father’s strict rules and with angry, hateful words, he packed up his belongings and left home.

Time passed.  The father grieved for his son.  He feared something dreadful happened to him, perhaps he was sick or injured, perhaps he was in terrible trouble, perhaps he was so filled with shame and remorse for his words and actions that he was afraid to return home.  Unable to bear the separation any longer, the father decided to search for his son, leaving his home in the hills and traveling many long, difficult miles to the city of Madrid where Paco always longed to go.  

At the office of El Liberal, one of Madrid’s most widely-read newspapers, he placed an advertisement which reads:  “PACO, MEET ME AT HOTEL MONTANA. NOON TUESDAY. ALL IS FORGIVEN. PAPA.”

At noon on Tuesday at the Hotel Montana, eight hundred Pacos showed up, looking for forgiveness from their fathers.