OLD GRANDAD
Old Grandad went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and 4 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 eyesight made eating difficult. Peas rolled
off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass,
milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and his wife became
irritated with the mess. "We must do something about Grandad,"
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 Grandad ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner.
Since Grandad had a broken dish or two, his food was served
in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandad'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 4 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 4 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 Grandad'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.
