The old man coughed and called out in a kind and fatherly voice, “My son, bring me a glass of water. God bless you.”
The boy, who had just returned from the fields with beads of sweat still glistening on his forehead, paused for a moment. He glanced at his father’s tired face and quickly went toward the water jug. But he found it empty. Without hesitation, he grabbed a small container and ran to the nearby spring.
When he arrived, he saw that a few people were washing clothes and dishes, making the spring water muddy. He wished he could wait for the water to clear, but he didn’t want to keep his father waiting any longer. He filled the container with the murky water and rushed back home.
With trembling hands, the boy poured the water into a glass and handed it to his father, full of anxiety. His mind was clouded with fear—what if his father was displeased by the murky water or sent him back for clear water? He busied himself with something else to avoid looking at his father, but his eyes stayed on him from the corner.
The father looked at the water, thanked God, and took a few sips. A smile spread across his lips as he glanced at the boy. “God bless you, my son. You quenched my thirst.”
The boy was astonished; he hadn’t expected such a reaction. Hesitantly, he sat beside his father and asked, “But father, I gave you muddy water, why are you smiling?”
The father placed his calloused hand on the boy’s shoulder, took a deep breath, and smiled nostalgically. “My son! I am pleased with you; you made an effort and met my need. It reminded me of the days when I was like you. My father, a strong and hardworking man, became homebound in his later years, and I would bring him water and food. I always tried to bring him cool and clear water, and sometimes I would make a sweet drink for him just to see him smile. He would always say, ‘God bless you.’”
The boy listened carefully and softly said, “So that’s why you smiled?”
The father sighed, his eyes slightly moist, and said, “Yes, my son. I used to try my best for my father, and now you are here, taking care of me. But I wonder, this is the end of my story, and I’m left thinking about how yours will turn out.”
The boy looked at his father more seriously and realized that life always has lessons to teach.
