Old is Gold

An old lady was a frequent visitor to her son-in-law’s house. He disliked the old lady as she used to interfere in his personal matters.

One day, when he returned home in the evening, his wife ran to him, jumping with joy. “We are lucky, dear”, she reported with great excitement. “The heavy cuckoo clock fixed to the wall fell onto the sofa today.” “But what is so lucky about it?” He inquired. She continued, “My mother was seated on that sofa right from the morning. The clock fell down just a few seconds after she got up and moved to the bed room. God saved her.” The son-in law lamented, “That clock is always slow!”

An old grand father had shivering hands. He happened to break many plates and glasses. His daughter-in-law could not tolerate this. She bought a tumbler and a plate made of aluminum for his daily use. With constant use, the vessels lost their charm and looked shabby. One day, the lady went for shopping, with her husband and their child. Seeing cheap vessels in the shop, the child asked his parents to buy some of them. “What are they for?” they asked him. The child innocently replied, “To give you food in these vessels when you grow old like my grandfather.” The couple realized the gravity of their action and its impact on the next generation.

Two spies came to a country disguised as old beggars. Two brothers felt pity on them and helped them, not knowing that they were spies sent by their enemy country. Later the enemy invaded the country and killed many people. But they were kind to the two brothers who had helped their spies earlier. The king told the brothers, “In recognition of your service, I will grant you a favour. You may leave the city carrying the most precious objects along with you.” One brother carried their aged father and the other their bed-ridden mother on their shoulders and moved out of the war-torn city to a safer place.

It is our duty to give gratitude, love, respect, service and support to our elderly relatives. We must take care of them and provide for them especially in their old age, illness and need.

By our love and service we can add days to their life and add life to their days.

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© By Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India and Leo. S. John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath,Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

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