Grandfather's Wooden Bowl

--by sabrina, posted Mar 1, 2008

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old 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 father," 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 in when I grow up."

The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents so 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.

Let's respect elders and the problems that arise from age. Everyone of us will be old someday.

11.7K Reads

Posted by sabrina
Mar 1, 2008
Comments (21)

Readers Comments

JuneBug wrote: I have read this before, but I am sooo glad you posted it!! Such a great story that sends chills up and down my spine! Thank you!!! :}

lmil1954 wrote: Thank you for this beautiful tale of encouragement. I am so glad you posted it. I'll be old soon enough and make certain that I treat my elderly friends with dignity and respect! Linda:)

liztree wrote: This was a great tale. Thanks so much for sharing. I'm not the most patient person and I really needed to read this.

nidhena wrote: Thank you for this, it reminds me of a movie I once saw about how children treat their elderly parents as a burden. Definitely choked me up.

lOVEBUG wrote: I could wish that life could be so simple. You know I pray for God to give each of His children a straight path, but so far I have not met one who has had a simple answer to life, but I will continue to pray for every soul, it only takes time.God Bless

makesomeonesmile wrote: Thanks for sharing this. It is a great lesson for us all.

falsemonkeypuzzl wrote: That gave me a lump in my throat. Such a good lesson about letting our personal irritation override the needs of another. I appreciate your posting the story.

sweetp wrote: i have noticed a problem in myself, and it seems to appear also in this story...the things that annoy us keep us from loving people for who they are... life is short... thanks for posting something to help all of us to embrace the lives we have ;)

Sarine wrote: Thank you for sharing this beautiful story, we should respect our elders, plus you cannot imagine how warm a hug or kiss from grandparents can be....they are full of love waiting to be given to the daughters n sons of their own daughters n sons ...

Chriszelda wrote: Thank you for sharing this beautiful story, ive got tears in my eyes now and miss my grandfather very much

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