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< We all have so much to learn from children > > 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 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 in 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 > 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 atmosphere for family members, > they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise > parent realizes that every day the building blocks are being laid for > the child's future. > > Let's be wise builders. >>
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