The Wooden Bowl

Once, an old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson. His hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. At dinner, his shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult; peas rolled off his spoon, and milk spilled on the tablecloth. Irritated by the mess, the son and daughter-in-law set a small table in a corner. There, the grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner together. Because he had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a crude wooden bowl. The old man would sometimes look toward the table with tear-filled eyes, but the couple only had sharp words for him when he dropped a fork. One evening, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. 'What are you making?' he asked. The boy looked up and replied sweetly, 'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.' The parents were struck dumb. Tears began to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That night, the son took the grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days, he ate every meal with them, and no one seemed to care anymore when a fork was dropped or milk was spilled.