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 their dinners together.
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 in when you get old.”
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 that
building blocks are being laid for the child's future.
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