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 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 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 from
when I grow up."
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 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 got soiled. Children are
remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and
their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently
provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that
attitude for the rest of their lives.
