Spilled Milk

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 eyesight made eating difficult.

Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grabbed his cup, milk spilled on the tablecloth and his son and daughter-in-law became irritated by the mess.

- We must do something about Grandfather - said the son.

- I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating and food all over 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.

Noticing that his son was playing by himself on the floor, the father asked the child:
- What are you doing?

And the boy answered:
- Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food when I grow up.

Very strong, isn’t it?

Collaborated by Fernanda Bezerra