01-27-2005, 11:04 AM | #1 |
Jack Burton
Join Date: March 21, 2001
Location: Philippines, but now Harbor City Sydney
Age: 41
Posts: 5,556
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Its a classic short story with meaning.. well i hope you get it anyway [img]smile.gif[/img]
i posted this long ago but its time to bring it up again -------------------------------- THE WOODEN BOWL 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 onto 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, he sometimes had a tear in his eye, as he sat alone. Still, the on! ly 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 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 words were 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.&n! bsp; 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 that he/she handles three things: rainy days, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you will 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 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 human touches, holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that you should pass this on to everyone you care about. I just did. People will forget what you said and what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. ----------------- oh yeah.. got this from my mail box.. kept this email for so long heh
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01-27-2005, 01:34 PM | #2 |
Fzoul Chembryl
Join Date: July 11, 2002
Location: Limbo
Age: 44
Posts: 1,720
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as nice as this story seems most parents don't listen that closely to their children.
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01-27-2005, 09:20 PM | #3 |
Lord Soth
Join Date: July 25, 2002
Location: Melbourne FL
Age: 60
Posts: 1,971
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Thanks -- I think I'll keep a copy of this.
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01-27-2005, 09:28 PM | #4 |
Dracolisk
Join Date: November 1, 2002
Location: Australia ..... G\'day!
Posts: 6,123
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I remember you posting this way back when. A lesson then and still as poignant now. Thanks Harks
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01-27-2005, 09:54 PM | #5 |
Ironworks Atomic Moderator
Join Date: January 7, 2001
Location: Virginia, U.S.A.
Age: 57
Posts: 9,005
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Nice story. Makes me feel so bad for the old man, and so happy when the kid gets his digs in LOL so to speak. [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img]
Old people in general really get to me emotionally. I've volunteered at Nursing Homes before, just to be a companion mostly and wheel them outside and stuff. It just breaks my heart seeing a human being so frail, and see pictures of them when they were young, so vibrant and powerful, now turned into this... Life just sucks cause you physically just go downhill eventually. The only thing you've got is what is on the inside, but sometimes when you are that old, what you have inside is never seen by anyone, cept those in the nursing home. Bah, it is just so depressing and sad. Love your grandmother, love your grandfather, love your parents, appreciate them while they are in your lives. Give them attention even if you think they don't want it, cause most likely in some ways they do. [img]smile.gif[/img] |
01-27-2005, 11:17 PM | #6 |
40th Level Warrior
Join Date: March 24, 2002
Posts: 10,215
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That's a nice story Harkoliar.
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