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.

10.1K Reads

Posted by sabrina
Mar 1, 2008
Comments (21)

Readers Comments

A person wrote: People people imagine you were him.

Panda Rosa wrote: An eye-opening story, but i do ponder on one thing: a wooden bowl would be a practical solution to someone who does drop things. Please think with me a moment, wooden plates and bowls could be held and used many times, and when dropped, are still good as new. Sounds like the little boy wanted something everyone could use.

YorkieMomX4 wrote: a story that is so SAD and should be heeded by all - especially those of the "ME" generation!

heather wrote: Thank you for sharing this story. Reality bites - all of us will become old. We must keep in mind that without our elders we would not see the beauty of this world. We have a similar story in our country.

Kelsey wrote: that's so sad....i got this as my mcas question.....waaa

Whoami wrote: What does one learn from this touching story? Can young and inexperienced ones be so observant, caring & intolerant towards injustice? Can reckless parents beget loving and assertive children? What would have happened if the unrepentent parents were wild enough to ask their child also to join the grandfather at his dining table! Was it that the father was just repeating what the grandfather had been doing to his elderly and faltering parents? Let us be careful as parents and never under-estimate our children. = Whoami

cindy wrote: A little child shall lead them. It's sad that we adults have to be taught lessons by the little child, but whatever does the job is good.

Jessica Maes wrote: This is a wonderful story,It really sends a message..We are all getting there soon enough. Many of our youger gererations are becoming quite heartless now days

still here wrote: A wake up call for all, first for me!!

NandaBabu wrote: Very glad to read this story. I've got tears in my eyes when i read this because to think of my grandpa in my native.

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