The Plastic Plate

The old man had worked for as joiner for a long time. Exhausted from the hard work and his old age had even taken his eyes and couldn’t see well. He had no more power. His wrinkled hand shook continuously, and whenever he ate the meal spilled on the table. His son and daughter in law scolded him and asked him to be more careful. After a couple of days, they decided to let him eat in another table, so the old man had to take his meal alone. Hasan, his nephew, was saddened for his grandfather, and regretfully saw him standing unhappy side.

One day, while eating, the old man dropped the plate and it broke. After this, they decided to give meal to the old man with plastic plates. One day the old man’s son said to his wife:

- Don’t put the fruits in plastic plates! Throw them away, because I have bought others.

Hasan, very distressed for his grandfather, said to his parents:

- Don’t throw those plates away, I will need them in future.

Astonished, they asked Hasan, for what he needs those plastic plates.

- When you will become old, – said Hasan, I will serve you meal with those plastic plates in the same way you are giving to grandfather now.

They understood that they hade done a mistake and a evil deed against their parent, and that the good deed that opens the doors of Paradise is to honor and respect the parents. How beautiful is the saying of our Prophet, Muhammad, peace be upon him: “The pleasure of Allah is gained with the pleasure of parents, and in the same way angriness of Allah is gained with their sadness.”