A WAKE UP CALL

The Wooden Bowl

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, aweek from now, a month from now, a year from now.A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, andfour-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight wasblurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table.But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eatingdifficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped theglass, 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 hisspilled 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. SinceGrandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a woodenbowl.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 hadfor 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. Heasked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boyresponded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat yourfood in when I grow up." The four- year- old smiled and went back towork.The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tearsstarted to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, bothknew what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather's handand gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of hisdays he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neitherhusband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped,
milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.People will forget what you said ... people will forget what youdid...but people will never forget how you made them feel.