温馨夜读 PART3 07 The Wooden Bowl 一只木碗（在线收听）

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[00:00.76]The Wooden Bowl 一只木碗

[00:05.89]A frail old man went to live with his son, 

[00:09.74]daughter-in-law, and a four-year old grandson.

[00:12.90]The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.

[00:19.90]The family ate together nightly at the dinner table.

[00:23.29]But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands 

[00:27.07]and failing sight made eating rather difficult.

[00:30.07]Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.

[00:33.68]When he grasped the glass often milk spilled on the tablecloth.

[00:38.61]The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.

[00:42.98]So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.

[00:47.14]There, grandfather ate alone 

[00:49.94]while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner at the dinner table.

[00:53.49]Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.

[01:00.71]Sometimes when the family glanced in grandfather’s direction,

[01:05.29]he had a tear in his eye as he ate alone.

[01:08.80]Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions

[01:13.72]when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

[01:16.57]The four-year-old son watched it all in silence.

[01:20.40]One evening before supper, 

[01:23.13]the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.

[01:27.62]He asked the child sweetly,“What are you making?”

[01:32.11]Just as sweetly, the boy responded,

[01:35.74]“Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and mama 

[01:40.08]to eat your food from when I grow up.”

[01:42.50]The four-year-old son smiled and went back to work.

[01:46.44]The words so struck the parents that they were speechless.

[01:50.27]Then tears started to stream down their cheeks.

[01:54.10]Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.

[01:58.58]That evening the husband took grandfather’s hand 

[02:02.64]and gently led him back to the family table.

[02:05.48]For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family.

[02:10.54]And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer

[02:15.45]when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

[02:20.71]Children are remarkably perceptive.

[02:23.45]Their eyes always observe, their ears always listen,

[02:28.97]and their minds always process the messages they absorb.

[02:33.62]If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members,

[02:38.87]they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives.

[02:42.70]The wise parent realizes that every day is being laid for the child’s future.

[02:49.27]Let us all be wise builders and role models.

[02:52.99]Take care of yourself ... and those you love ... today, and everyday!