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 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, he sometimes 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 Momma to eat your food from 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 words were 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.
- Author Unknown -
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