The Wooden Bowl

The Wooden Bowl

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now.

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.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Risk Factors
• Prevention
• and Help

[starsbydaylight]

Wonder how we adults often fail to see what many a good parent did for us .. our Mothers putting for us their own life at risk, enduring seversts pains giving birth to us .. sleep interrupted-wiping our baby bum clean countless times for years on end, not nice job .. caring, caring .. Fathers & Mothers working to get the food on the table, clothing us, providing for our eduction, etc. Why do we take all that care for granted? Why have a table cloth anyway? Give back to the vulnerable elderly!

[shutupndive1]

10/10

[hotmkl]

That's a touching story and a very good leson for many people. God bless you for sharing it with us.

[jewelindisky]

thank you !!! love'inyou 2010 times more....

[marriverrock]

Thank you so much for this story. You presented it so beautifully ,and the music is so sad and lovely, Just everything about this beautiful creation made me cry. This is an excellent reminder for all of us to always care for our elders and everyone with respect, compassion and love..

The Golden Rule "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

[zeta272000]

Thank you for this message.

[thebigseahorse]

Thank you, a very touching message!

[gisltome]

Thank you my dear for a beautiful poignant reminder of loving our elders, listening to the wisdom of our children and remembering our oneness with all. A very sweet story, i love the music too. Hugs, gisl