Saturday, January 05, 2008

"The Wooden Bowl"

The Wooden Bowl~

I guarantee you'll remember this tale of the Wooden Bowl
tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now,or hopefully a year from now;

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four 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 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 father," 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 in when I grow up. "
The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.
The words so struck the parents so 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 soiled.

On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens,
how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things:
a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents,
you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.
I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life.."
I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands.
You need to be able to throw something back

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you
But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others,
your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.
People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

Welcome To Crustybeef~
Thanks Auntie!! Loved it!
I wish I knew who wrote this to give credit where credit is due.

12 comments:

captain corky said...

I liked that story a lot.

CRUSTY MOM-E said...

Hi Capt, it is a great story! How are you?
Always,
Crusty

Moohaa said...

I've read that before and I loved it then too!

Moohaa said...

And hugs to you and I both for dreams of curls and bows.

SpringMist said...

Inspiring story. I vaguely remember hearing this story before but in a different form same ending same smart kid :)
Good night crusty

Jessica said...

HI. Good to see you over at Foster Communications. :) Love this blog.

Love this story. It's so true, that part about learning a lot by how someone handles elderly, lost luggage, rainy days and Christmas lights. Maybe add children to that list. I don't have time for people who think children should be seen and not heard.

Anonymous said...

Its inspiring everytime I read it. happy happy new year!!!

Portia said...

Happy Sunday Crusty! Nice story.
:)

Golden To Silver Val said...

Adult abuse is more prevalent than most know. The wooden bowl is very thought provoking. Further, trust your instincts about "the boy" ...something is wrong. You're wise to keep your children home. One of the first things I learned in taking a Criminology class is that if you "feel" something is wrong, there usually is. I'm new to your site and like what I'm reading. Come visit me sometime. Val

The Real Mother Hen said...

This is a good story Crusty.
Have a good day and be blessed.

Cheryl said...

Hi Crusty...I've missed you. This story is eye-opening and the words of wisdom couldn't be more true. Words to live by.

austere said...

Hi Crusty, have read this one before, but rings true in my country as well, as we move on the developed- industrialised path. Joint family transits to nuclear family, and sometimes property is signed over on an "or else!" condition. In time, the support systems will come in place, right now helplines and a govt rule that requires the elderly to be taken care of- imagine, a rule!
Liked the lights, baggage and rainy day one.