One thing Jesus never did when telling a story was to "pull their leg". You know, tell them "a whopper", "pull the wool overe their eyes",  or do the old "just kidding" move. He knew how and when to laugh, cry, get angry, etc. He never tried to trick someone into doing something. He came to express what our heavenly Father is really like... visibly, as a grown man, old enogh to be your Father if you were a kid. This episode is for all people who simply want to know God and grow in a real relationship with Him.