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 blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together every night at the dinner table. But the old man's shaky hands and failing sight made eating rather difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon and when he grasped the glass, milk often spilled on the table cloth.

The mess irked the son and his wife. "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 a small table was set in the corner, where grandfather was to eat alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner at the table. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his bowl was served in a wooden bowl. Often when the family glanced in the grandfather's direction, he had a tear in his eye as he ate alone. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps. He asked the child, "What are you making son?" The boy looked up from his project and sweetly replied, "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 innocently and went back to work.

The parents 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 tablecloth soiled.


Are you worried that your children don't listen to you?

Instead shouldn't you be more worried that they are watching you?


~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~