The Wooden Bowl

A frail old man
went to live with
his son, daughter-
in-law, and a four-
year old grandson.
The old man's
hands trembled,
his eyesight was
blurred, and his
step faltered. The
family ate
together nightly at
the dinner table.
But the elderly
grandfather's
shaky hands and
failing sight made
eating rather
difficult. Peas
rolled off his spoon
onto the floor.
When he grasped
the glass often
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 at
the dinner table.
Since grandfather
had broken a dish
or two, his food
was served in a
wooden bowl.
Sometimes when
the family glanced
in grandfather's
direction, he had a
tear in his eye as
he ate 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 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
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.
Let us all be wise
builders and role
models. Take care
of yourself, ... and
those you love, ...
today, and
everyday!