A frail(weak,कमज़ोर) old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and a four-year old grandson. The old man’s hands trembled(shiver,कांपना), his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered(stagger,लडखडाना). The family ate together nightly at the dinner table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating rather arduous(difficult,कठिन). Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass often 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 adequate(enough,पर्याप्त) of his spilled milk, clamorous(noisy,शोर) eating, and food on the floor. So the husband and wife set a minuscule(small,छोटा) table in the corner. There, grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family dinner at the dinner table. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. Sometimes when the family glanced in grandfather’s direction, he had a tear in his eye as he ate alone.
Still, the only words the couple had for him were acute(sharp,तेज़) admonitions(warning,चेतावनी) when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in taciturn(silence,चुप्पी).
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 from 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 commenced(started,शुरू) to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was 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. Children are remarkably discerning(perceptive,विवेकी. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they imbibe(absorb,सोखना). If they see us imperturbably(patiently,धीरता से) provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will emulate(imitate,नक़ल) that attitude for the rest of their lives. The sagacious(wise,बुद्धिमान) parent realizes that every day that building blocks are being laid for the child’s future.
Let us all be wise builders and role models. Take care of yourself, … and those you love, … today, and everyday!
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