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 at the table.But the elderly
grandfather's shaky hands and failing eyesight made eating difficulty.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 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 words were spoken, both knew
what must be done. That evening the husband took grandfather's hand and
gently led him to the family table. For the remaining 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 dropped, milk spilled, or the
tablecloth soiled.

LESSONS LEARNED: Regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll
MISS them when they're gone from your life. Life sometimes gives you a
second chance.

Children's eyes observed more than their ears ever hear and the examples we
set for them determines their actions.