Luke 15:11-32 is often referred to as the "Parable of the Prodigal Son", but when Jesus begins the parable he says it's a parable about two sons, not just one. The younger son demands his inheritance from his father, then takes off, wastes it all, and returns to a forgiving father. But it's a grave error to think that this story is only about one son. It's actually a tale of two sons, one younger and one older. Both want their father's things but not their father. One repents, and one we're left wondering about. Some of us are like the younger son and others are like the older son—both need to repent. Repentance is (1) recognizing I'm going the wrong way, (2) changing my mind (the word "repent" literally means "a change of mind"), and (3) turning around to go the other way (this is the fruit of repentance). The greatest prodigal in this story (the one who is most lavish and extravagant with his resources) is not the younger son, but the dad.
Parables are simply stories intended to illustrate and teach. Jesus often taught about the Kingdom with parables in order to help people remember his teaching. He used parables to conceal truth from some, and reveal truth to others.
