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 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 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, 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. 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 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.
Allah mentions in Surah Al Isra 17:23-24
And
your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be
dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age
in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them
but address them in terms of honour.
And lower unto them the wing
of submission and humility through mercy, and say: "My Lord! Bestow on
them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was small."
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