Passing the baton

"You're going to be amazing," he told his eldest, handing over a stack of books. "You'll achieve what I never could."

His eldest nodded dutifully, handing the same stack to his own child. "You're going to be amazing," he echoed. "You'll achieve what I never could."

"You're going to be amazing," said the next in line, the weight of the stack causing a slight hunch. "You'll achieve what I never could."

"But what if I don't want to?" asked the youngest, looking up at the towering stack.

They responded, "Just pass it on."