Duty Towards Elders………

A son took his old father to a very elegant and expensive restaurant for an evening dinner. He ordered for the best of foods that his father always liked. When the food came on the table, his father who was very old and weak, like a young innocent child emptied most of the things in his plate and started eating excitedly and whilst eating, dropped food on his shirt and trousers and he became dirty all over.

His son did not shout at his father nor did he say, ‘Look dad what have you done, you have embarrassed me in front of so many diners.’ Instead he was thoroughly enjoying all this and kept on wiping his father’s mouth with a napkin. He was feeling so contented and pleased seeing his father enjoying himself. Other diners watched him in disgust while his son was calm. After he finished eating, his son, quietly took him to the washroom, wiped the food particles, removed the stains, combed his hair and fitted his spectacles firmly. 

When they came out, the entire restaurant was watching them in dead silence, not able to grasp how someone could embarrass themselves publicly like that. The son settled the bill and started walking out with his father. At that time, an old man amongst the diners called out to the son and asked him, ‘Don’t you think you have left something behind?” The son replied, ‘No Sir, I have not.’ The old man retorted, ‘Yes you have! You have a lesson for every son and hope for every father.’ 

The restaurant went silent and nobody talked. They all kept staring at what had just happened. To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors. We all know, how our parents cared for us for every little thing. The amount of fusses and angers were all tolerated by them and we were always given the best no matter what. Love them, respect them, care for them because they have brought you to this unique world. It is our duty to take care of them and the elders in our family when they grow old and need us.   We are their only support. There is no one for them except you to make them cheerful and happy in their last days. That is the greatest thing that will bring joy and fulfillment to us.