Once upon a time, there was a very old grandfather. He couldn’t see well, couldn’t hear well, and his legs were unsteady, always shaking. When he ate, he couldn’t even hold his spoon steady, often spilling his food and letting soup drip from the corners of his mouth.
Because of this, his son and daughter-in-law began to dislike him. They wouldn’t let the old man sit at the dining table with them, but instead made him sit alone in the corner of the kitchen to eat. They gave him an old, broken clay bowl to eat from, and never gave him enough food at mealtimes.
The old man was very sad. He often ate while secretly shedding tears, looking at his family at the dining table, his heart filled with sorrow.
An accident happens: the clay bowl breaks
One day, the old man’s hands were shaking so badly that he couldn’t hold the small earthenware bowl, and it fell to the ground and broke. His daughter-in-law saw this, but instead of comforting him, she scolded him loudly.
The old man said nothing, just sighed. Later, they spent a few cents to buy a wooden bowl for him to use.
The Grandson’s Words Changed Everyone
A few days later, while the son and daughter-in-law were eating, they noticed their four-year-old grandson picking up the pieces of the broken wooden bowl from the floor. They curiously asked the child, “What are you doing?”
The little boy looked up and said earnestly, “I’m going to make these pieces into a wooden bowl. When I grow up, I’ll use it for my parents to eat from.”
Hearing this, the parents were stunned. They looked at each other for a moment, then couldn’t help but cry. They finally realized how wrong they had been in their treatment of the old man.
So they immediately invited the old man back, asked him to sit back at the dining table, and from then on, the whole family ate together. Even when the old man accidentally spilled food, they no longer scolded him.
The Truth Behind the Story
Though simple, this story reveals a profound truth: how we treat our elders directly influences the behavior of the next generation. When children see their parents disrespecting elderly relatives, they learn this behavior and may one day treat their own parents in the same way.
The grandson’s statement, “I will make wooden bowls for you to use,” is actually an imitation and reflection of his parents’ behavior. This statement acts like a mirror, revealing the parents’ indifference and mistakes.
What can we learn from this?
- Setting a good example is important
Parents are a child’s first teachers. Children learn by doing what we do. If you want your children to be filial to you in the future, you must learn to treat your parents well now. - Don’t overlook the value of the elderly
Although they are old and their bodies are not as strong as they used to be, this does not mean they have no value. They have sacrificed a lot for us and deserve respect and love. - Love is a legacy
If you show kindness to others today, you will receive kindness in return tomorrow. Warmth in the family is not something that comes naturally; it is something that everyone must work hard to maintain. - It’s never too late to correct your mistakes
Although the parents in the story did not do a good job at first, they listened to their child and immediately changed their behavior, accepting the elderly man back into their family. This tells us that as long as we are willing to change, it is never too late.
Conclusion: Educate the next generation with love
“Old Man and His Grandson” is not just a fairy tale, but also a vivid lesson in family education. It reminds us to be more understanding and tolerant in life, especially when dealing with elderly and frail relatives.
Don’t forget that every action we take today will become our children’s choices tomorrow.
