Since I love reading, I have come across different stories some of which were inspiring, educative, entertaining and an eye-opener, among others. Some of these stories have influenced my decisions, choices, behaviour and how I live with people around me.

For two years now, the story of a son and his aging father has been my favourite. It portrays how we should treat our parents in public, and how our actions can have an impact on those around us.

The story goes like this...A son took his old father to a restaurant for an evening dinner. Father being very old and weak, while eating, dropped food on his shirt and trousers. Others diners watched him in disgust while his son was calm.

After he finished eating, his son who was not at all embarrassed, quietly took him to the wash room, wiped the food particles, removed the stains, combed his hair and fitted his spectacles firmly. 

When they came out, the entire restaurant was watching them in dead silence, not able to grasp how someone could embarrass themselves publicly like that. The son settled the bill and started walking out with his father.

At that time, an old man amongst the diners called out to the son and asked him, "Don’t you think you have left something behind?”. The son replied, "No sir, I haven’t”.

The old man retorted, "Yes, you have! You left a lesson for every son and hope forevery father".

Moral of the story: Always love your parents regardless of how they look, possess or how other people look at them. 

The writer is a grade 7 pupil aged 14