A Wooden Bowl

 

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 Grandfathers 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 that were on the floor.

 

 

 

He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making?”  the boy answered… 

 

“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 stuck the Parents so 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 Grabdfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family.

 

No longer did the  Husband or Wife seem 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 the building blocks are being laid for the Child’s future. Let us be wise builders and role models.

 

We always remember…

 

“What goes around, comes around! “However, “Treating others as we would treat ourselves or the way we would like to be treated will grant us more Love then not, and we can start at any time to do this…

 

 ” It’s never too late” and no matter what our Role models were like we

can change by changing our Focus.

 

 

Author unknown but this Story has been presented in various adaptions

 since 1535 including by Leo Tolstoy 1828-1910