Bring on the Fatted Calf

Rather touching story of the Hitchens Brothers' reconciliation - at least seen from one perspective.

And at this Lenten time what could be more appropriate than to think of brothers - of the Prodigal Son and the Boring One and the Father with Poor Judgement.

Now I think that one important character has been missed out in traditional tellings of this story.  I don't mean the Selfish One.  We all know his side of the story. Enough with the pea-pods and all.  And I don't mean the father. Yes, ancient societies, father running down the street, not very dignified blah blah blah.  And I don't mean the Older Sibling.  Although, let's face it, we all know what it's like to have a younger, irresponsible, annoying sibling.  And very few people have the resources to be able to lock them in the attic with their own friendly housekeeper.  (But thanks, Mrs Rochester).
And I don't mean Mrs Prodigal either - who, for all we know from the story, may have been dead or run off with Lazarus or the Good Samaritan.  Indeed, in 1989 I remember doing the Prodigal Mother sketch in Woburn Sands Methodist.  So she's not been forgotten.
No - I mean the Fatted Calf.  When all's said and done, this is one character in the story who's really bought in.  Everyone else is just dilettante-ing around.  The Fatted Calf's in this for good.