Shaul, the merchant, had a beautiful home expensively furnished and decorated with fine works of art. His magnificent gardens displayed the rarest flowers, whose fragrance could be appreciated from afar.
Shaul's elderly father also lived in his home. The relationship between father and son had possibly never been the best; who is to know. But as his father grew older and weaker, he became a "burden" to the family and particularly to Shaul.
During meal times, especially, Shaul was repulsed by his father. The elderly man's trembling hands spilled soup and drinks on his clothing and the fine linens; oftentimes the china would fall on the floor and shatter. The patriarch's appearance and cleanliness was not what Shaul perceived to be appropriate.
One day, as the family was sitting at dinner, an expensive crystal wine goblet fell out of the old man's hand. It shattered into thousands of splinters and red wine spilled all over the tablecloth. Shaul was livid. His patience was spent. He decided there and then to send his father away.
But, of course, Shaul couldn't just send his father packing and into the streets. That he would not do. When he overcame his anger, he came up with what he thought was a brilliant solution.
"Go out and buy wooden dishes and cups," Shaul ordered one of his servants. His father would use the wooden utensils, Shaul decided. There might still be spills, but at least none of the expensive china or crystal would be ruined. Of course, when company came his father could hardly sit at the table with them using his coarse dishes. But, that wouldn't be so terrible at all, thought Shaul.
Weeks passed. Shaul and his entire family, including the youngest children, dined together each night. Shaul and his entire family, including the youngest children, were served their delicious fare on fine china and quenched their thirst with drinks in expensive crystal goblets. The entire family that is, except for Shaul's father, who was served his meals in the wooden dishes, bowls and cups that Shaul had had his servant purchase.
One day, Shaul's youngest son, Yosef, went out to the store to buy candies. He was a sweet child with a good heart, loved by everyone who knew him. Suddenly he saw a group of beggars sitting on the street corner, eating out of wooden bowls from the soup kitchen just like his grandfather used at home. Yosef was touched but confused. Without hesitation, he took all the money out of his pocket and gave it to the beggar.
Yosef ran home. He asked his father for a piece of wood and a whittling knife. Then, he ran up to the attic, happy that his father had agreed to give him the supplies.
As he was whittling, Yosef heard his father's impatient voice. "What are you doing up there? Why are you taking so long?"
Yosef took the wood downstairs with him.
"What are you holding?" Shaul asked Yosef curiously. "Why have you asked for wood and a knife?"
"I am making a wooden bowl and plate and cup for you, Father!" replied Yosef sweetly. "That way, when you get old and start to break things and I have to give you wooden dishes like the beggars use, I'll have made them already," explained Yosef sincerely.
Shaul was shocked by his son's words. For a moment he imagined himself in his father's place: old, helpless, and being treated without the least bit of reverence or respect. Shaul saw clearly his terrible behavior. He went to his father and begged forgiveness.
From that day on, the old man lived in comfort, honored by his son and grandchildren. He spent his last years pleasantly in his children's home. In time, when Shaul became elderly, he also enjoyed the honor and comfort which was given to him by his son Yosef.
