Speaking of Children

5. Write a short essay in which you show a situation or even by quoting what people say. Try to make at least one third of your essay direct quotation.

It’s a pity that very old people, over seventy or seventy-five, are considered a burden by many on the family. They are not treated well by their sons or daughters-in-law. Is it their fault that they grow weak in their old age, turn hard of hearing or lose much of the eye sight? No, in fact, we should realize that everyone, provided no accident cuts short his or her life, is destined to pass through that unenviable stage.
Old people are in need of love and affection. We should be wise enough to receive their abnormalities or child- like behavior well and not swear at them for every little thing.


“You old people are born only to worry. Keep mum!”

“I was telling you son; I feel pain in my stomach.”

“Last week only we saw the doctor. He says it’s nothing serious.”

The old people need no explanation. They need a few of your minutes. Intolerable loneliness makes them behave like that. They fuss and grudge because they are old. If their grudges are not seriously taken and are responded with smiles and heartfelt inquires, many of the problems will be solved. Instead unfortunately we come down upon them heavily:

“If you were not my father, I would deposit you to a dumping site.”

“I reared you, my son, for me to see such days.”

“Now keep mum, I can’t score over you in discussion. You peevish people neither live in peace nor allow us to live in peace.”

“For Christ’s sake, please don’t utter such words. I pray you.”

Why can’t we have the magnanimity of heart to accommodate their fusses and grudges? No son ca deny that he owes his parents for what he is. If your wife is too severe on your father, persuade her. Clam her down. Persuade and prepare her to try to realize what old age feels like. If your father’s trembling hands drop something, give him support. Don’t leave him alone and don’t let him feel the agony of the thought of nearing death.

“Tell your old man to eat on the floor in the kitchen. I don’t want to have my dishes broken just because he is so careless. Yesterday he spilled tea and ruined our new table cloth.”



“My dear, you are right but is this the way to react to that? He is listening to you.”

“I don’t care what he will think. I was married to be made his washerwoman. I won’t put up with these kinds of things now.”

Even if your father-in-law is wrong, this is not the way to respond. Talk to him nicely. Try to feel into his heart. Make up with his mistakes. And, see then how things turn out to be.

The happiness of earlier times will return to your family.

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