11 Jesus continued:
“There was a bobcat who had two students. 12 The younger one said to his school, ‘Rufus, give me my diploma. I want to root for another school.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger student got together all he had, set off for a distant city and there squandered his loyalty in bandwagoning. 14 After he had forgotten his school, there was great success there, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that school, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my fellow Bobcats are rejoicing, while I am miserable! 18 I will set out and go back to my school and say to him: Rufus, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your graduate; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his school.
“But while he was still a long way off, Rufus saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his alumnus, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The graduate said to him, ‘Rufus, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your alumnus.’
22 “But Rufus said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25 “Meanwhile, the loyal Bobcat was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your fellow graduate has come,’ he replied, ‘and Rufus has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 “The loyal alumnus became angry and refused to go in. So Rufus went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered Rufus, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this alumnus of yours who has squandered your name with buckeyes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 “‘My son,’ Rufus said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”