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Wooden
Bowl
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law,
and four-year
grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and
his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly
grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas
rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk
spilled on the tablecloth.
The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. We must
do something about Grandfather," said the son. I've had enough
of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor. So the husband
and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone
while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken
a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family
glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye
as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp
admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.
The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper,
the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He
asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly,
the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama
to eat your food when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and
went back to work.
The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears
started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both
knew what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather's
hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder
of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason,
neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped,
milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.
Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears
ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb.
If
they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members,
they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise
parent realizes that every day the building blocks are being laid for
the child's future.
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Author Unknown ~ User Submitted
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