THE WOODEN BOWL

[Guest guest]

Sai Ram.

 

Another touching story on 'Parents' for us all to reflect upon!

With love & light,Madhvi

THE WOODEN BOWL

 

A frail old man after the death of his wife, went to live with his son,

daughter-in-law, and four-year 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. The crumbs went everywhere and

the peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, the

liquid spilled on his clothes as well as the tablecloth.

 

The son and daughter-in-law became very 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 their dinners together. 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 you

get old.’

 

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 realised their mistake

and knew what must be done.

 

They went to the Grandfather and begged him for forgiveness. Then in the evening

the husband took his hand and gently & lovingly 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.

I've learned, that, regardless of our relationship with our parents, we will

miss them terribly when they're gone from our lives.

 

I've learned that life sometimes does give us a second chance.

 

I've learned that if we try to pursue happiness.......it eludes us. But, if we

focus the needs of others and doing the very best we can......happiness will

find us.

 

I've learned that children's eyes observe more than there ears ever hear.... and

the example we set for them determines their actions.

 

I've learned that make a ‘living’ is not the same thing as making a ‘life’.

 

I've learned that every day, we should reach out and 'touch' someone in some

way....... to show we care.

 

I've learned that people will forget what we said ......they may even forget

what we did......but they will never forget how we made them feel.

 

I've learned that life is about people and making a positive difference.

 

I've learned that we should take care of ourselves and those you

love............Today and Everyday!

 

I've learned I still have a lot to learn!

 

 

Remain Blessed!

 

 

 

Duty is God, Work is Worship

[Guest guest]

if we try to pursue happiness.......it eludes us. But, if we focus the needs of

others and doing the very best we can......happiness will find us. I've

learned that children's eyes observe more than there ears ever hear.... and the

example we set for them determines their actions. I've learned that make a

‘living’ is not the same thing as making a ‘life’. I've learned that

every day, we should reach out and 'touch' someone in

some way....... to show we care. I've learned that people will forget what we

said ......they may even forget what we did......but they will never forget how

we made them feel. I've learned that life is about people and making a

positive difference. I've learned that we should take care of ourselves and

those you love............Today and Everyday! I've learned I still have a

lot to learn! Remain Blessed! Duty is God, Work is Worship

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