As an older father started to face the frailties of aging, he moved in with his son, daughter-in-law, and 4-year-old grandson.

The elderly man experienced shaking hands, poor eyesight, and difficulty walking. The family was having supper at their table one night when the grandfather’s shaky hands and fading vision made dining difficult for him. As he attempted to eat the peas, they slid off his spoon onto the floor, and his milk poured over the tablecloth.

The mess irritated both the son and his wife.

“We have to do something about Father,” the son remarked. “I’m sick of his spilt milk, loud eating, and food on the floor.” 
The husband and wife decided to put up a tiny table in the corner for the grandfather to dine alone, so he didn’t ruin their supper. The old guy was offered food in wooden bowls that he couldn’t shatter, and he ate all by himself with tears in his eyes. Even so, his son and daughter-in-law’s words for him were admonitions when he dropped anything.

The four-year-old grandson stood there silently watching the whole incident. After supper, the boy’s father saw him playing with wood chips on the floor and asked, “What are you making?”

“Oh, when I grow up, I’m going to make a tiny dish for you and Mama to eat your meal in,” the young boy remarked softly.

These comments slammed into the boys’ parents like a ton of bricks, and they both burst into tears as they understood what had to be done.

The following night, the spouse carefully guided Grandpa back to the family table. The old guy ate with the family at the table from then on, and they never complained about his spills again.

The conclusion of this story is that elderly parents should be treated with extra care and affection since we will all become older and want the same compassion shown to us.