[ولد مطير]

A Father Learns a Lesson from His Son
Velan was a carpenter. He was living in a village. His mother died a
long time back. His aged father, Kuppan, lived with Velan. Kuppan was
very weak. He could not even walk well. It was because Velan did not
give him enough food. He had given his father a small clay plate. Even
a small quantity of rice in the plate appeared to be much. Velan was a
bad man. He was a drunkard also. After taking drinks, he treated his
father badly.
Velan had a son. His name was Muthu. Muthu was just ten years old.
He was a very good boy. He loved his grandfather and had great
respect for him. He did not like his father’s attitude and character,
because his father was treating his grandfather cruelly.
One day Kuppan was eating his food out of the clay plate that his son
had given to him. The clay plate fell down. The plate broke into
pieces. The food also fell on the floor. Velan was working at the other
end of the room. He saw the broken plate. He was very angry with his
father and used very harsh words to abuse him. The old man felt bad 2
about what happened. He was sorry for his mistake. Velan’s words
wounded him very deeply.
Velan’s son, Muthu, saw this. He did not like his father. His father was
ill-treating his grandfather. Yet, he was afraid to speak against his
father. He was not powerful to stand in support of his grandfather.
The next day Muthu took some of his father’s carpentry tools and a
piece of wood. He worked with the tools to make a wooden plate. His
father saw him working.
“What are you making, Muthu?” he asked.
“I am making a wooden plate!” replied Muthu.
“A wooden plate! What for?” asked his father.
“I am making it for you, father. When you grow old, like my
grandfather, you will need a plate for food. A plate made from earth
mat break very easily. Then I may scold you severely. So, I want to
give you a wooden plate. It may not break so easily.”
The carpenter was shocked to hear this. Only now he realized his
mistake. His father was kind to him. He had looked after him very
well. Now, he was old. Velan was treating his father in a very harsh 3
way. Velan was now very sad about his own behavior. He realized his
mistakes. He then became a different person.
From that day, Velan treated his father with great respect. He gave up
drinking too. Velan learnt a lesson from his own son.
You should honor your parents at all times. It is your duty. It brings
you their blessings.