TRES POCO BUILDERS

Mrs. Oink clutched her purse. Happy joyful tears streamed down her face. Holding her head high, Mrs. Oink proudly watched her three sons graduate from Perry High School.

During the ceremony, Mrs. Oink reflected on their family's experiences and all of their life's ups and downs. Recalling their share of rough patches, they hung together weathering life's storms. Mrs. Oink knew that their positive and grateful attitude never wavered. Focusing on the positive, their gratitude for every blessing and good fortune that came their way. Therefore, Mrs. Oink and her triplets considered graduation day a blessing.

When it came to celebrating their blessings, the Oink family knew how to par-tee. An hour after the graduation ceremony, the bash was in full swing. By three o'clock in the morning, the party was winding down.

Mrs. Oink left the party at midnight. Knowing how hungry her boys would be in the morning, she purchased their favorite breakfast treats and planned to have everything ready at 11 A.M.

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Years before graduation, the triples formed and made some very smart and wise choices. While Peyton selected high school honors classes, he enrolled in architecture courses online because of his innate talent for drawing house plans. At times, it wasn't easy, but Peyton's persistence and determination carried him through.

On the other hand, Payton and Preston enrolled in vocational training for home repair and construction while taking academic honors courses.

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At breakfast, the morning after graduation, Peyton, Preston, and Payton were all smiling, joking, and having a wonderful time. Pulling the front of her apron up to her face and wiping sweat from her brow, Mrs. Oink wrung her hands. She sensed that her boys were about to leave. 

Seated around the kitchen table, the triplets rubbed their hands together. As if they were getting ready to start a new project, Payton smiled at Preston and encouraged him to make the announcement.

"No, Peyton will tell mom," Preston responded.

Peyton stood up hugged his mother and said, "We love you ma! You have been our biggest and best cheerleader providing us with so much. It's time for us to go out into the world. Payton, Preston, and I decided to go into business together. We are moving thirty minutes away to Perryville. There we will establish our construction business to be known as Oink Family Construction, LLC."

Slowly shaking her head yes and rising from her chair, Mrs. Oink kissed each one of her boys and exclaimed, "I am so proud of each of you and wish you all the best!"

After all the tears, hugs, and kisses, they loaded their truck. Backing out of the driveway, Peyton, Preston, and Payton waved goodbye to their mother and headed to Perryville.

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Arriving in Perryville early in the afternoon and stopping at the Big Box Bank of Perryville, they strutted into the bank and asked for the loan officer. The receptionist directed them to Mr. B. D. Wolf's cubicle. With a sinister smile, Mr. Wolf questioned, "How can we help you?"

Preston replied, "We want to build modular homes, and we are here to apply for a small loan."

"How much is a small loan?" Mr. B. D. Wolf inquired.

Preston shrugged and stammered, "$50,000."

Mr. Wolf huffed, puffed, and demanded that the Oink brothers leave the bank.

Outside the bank, Peyton consoled his brothers stating. "I have plans for a simple two-bedroom 720 square feet modular home. Our Uncle Billy invested in our company. We have enough to rent a warehouse. Inside the warehouse, we can build modular homes and not have to worry about the weather. The best part is the warehouse has a second level. Until we get things rolling, there are enough rooms along with a kitchen and bathroom on the second level providing unique and comfortable living quarters." 

Two months later, their first modular home came out of the warehouse. The home was ready for a buyer. Unfortunately, a tornado struck Perryville destroying their modular home. 

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On a bright and sunny day, the Oink brothers returned to the Big Box Bank of Perryville. The brothers were thankful that Mr. B. D. Wolf wasn't in. The receptionist directed them to Mr. D. D. Wolf. Mr. Wolf shook each of the Oink brother's hands and asked them to take a seat. Mr. D. D. Wolf complimented them on the beautiful modular home they built expressing how sorry that their first home was destroyed by the tornado.

Mr. D. D. Wolf asked, "What brings you to our bank today?"

"We received our insurance check, but it doesn't cover all our expenses. A loan of $100,000 would help us build fireproof homes. Our cousins, Peter, Paul, and Mary have tested material that will withstand wind and fire. With Peyton's new house plans and our cousin's building materials, we need an infusion of cash," replied Payton.

Mr. Wolf scratched his head. Snorting, huffing, and puffing, Mr. Wolf blew all the papers off his desk.

Then, Mr. Wolf stood up and commanded, "You have to leave. Right now!"

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Peyton and Payton hung their heads and shuffled their feet. Of course, the whining and crying didn't last very long.

Peyton declared, "We can sell corporate bonds to investors. The more investors the more money, and the sooner we can build safe homes that are wind and fireproof.

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A year later, the Oink Family Construction, LLC had fifteen homes built and sold. All the investors were excited and happy that they made a smart and wise investment.

While celebrating their success, a forest fire started on the west side of town. Within twenty-four hours, the fire was under control. Most of the homes were destroyed except for the homes that the Oink Family constructed.

After the fire, media outlets broadcasted that the homes built by the Oink brothers survived the fire. With the publicity from the media, suddenly, there was a huge demand for homes that were built by the Oink Family Construction, LLC.

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Two years later, the triplets arrived at the Big Box Bank of Perryville. Peyton, Preston, and Payton waltzed into the lobby. The bank president Mr. G. Wolf walked up and greeted them.

Before Mr. Wolf could say one word, Payton said, " Well over three years, we deposited funds into our business account with your bank. During that time, your bank never loaned us a dime. Today, we are here to withdraw all the funds in our account."

Mr. Wolf huffed, puffed, and stuttered, "You, you, you want to withdraw all the funds in your account?"

In unison, Peyton, Preston, and Payton chimed, "Yes! You don't have to ask us to leave! Now, we are ready to leave with our 3 million dollars."