Story: The Lesson About Respect and Love for Grandparents

Lan is an 11-year-old girl living with her family in a small house on the outskirts of the city. Lan greatly respects and loves her grandparents and parents, but there is something she wonders about.

One day, during a moral values lesson at school, Lan raised her hand and asked the teacher, “Why should we respect and love our grandparents and parents, Miss?”

The teacher smiled at Lan and said, “That is a very good question, Lan. I will tell you a story to help you understand better.”

The entire class listened attentively as the teacher began:

“When my parents were young, my grandparents had to work hard in the fields every day to make a living. Once, a big storm swept away all the family’s crops. My grandparents were very sad and worried because they didn’t know how to provide enough food for the family.”

Lan and her classmates listened closely, their eyes shining with curiosity. A student asked, “Then what did your grandparents do to overcome that difficulty, Miss?”

The teacher continued, “First, my grandparents cleaned up the field, picking up each broken stalk and trying to save the surviving plants. Then, they had to do extra jobs to earn money to buy food and new seeds. My grandfather worked as a laborer in other fields, while my grandmother took on sewing jobs for neighbors. Even though the work was very hard and exhausting, they always encouraged each other not to give up.”

Another student asked, “Did your grandparents ever think about giving up, Miss?”

The teacher smiled and said, “There were times when they felt very tired and wanted to give up, but when they saw the innocent eyes and smiles of my parents back then, they gained more motivation. We knew that as long as we tried, every difficulty would pass. The most important thing is that the family stays united and loves each other, overcoming all challenges together.”

Lan felt moved and understood more about the importance of respecting and loving her grandparents and parents. “So what should we do to show our respect and love for our grandparents and parents, Miss?”

The teacher smiled gently and said, “You can start with small daily tasks. Listen when your grandparents tell stories, help them and your parents when they need it, and always say thank you and sorry when necessary. You should also spend time with your family, sharing joys and sorrows with them. Here are some small tasks you can do every day:

• Help with household chores: Sweep the floor, clean the table, wash dishes, and tidy up your room.
• Take care of plants: Water the plants, pick up fallen leaves, and tend the garden.
• Prepare meals: Help your grandparents and parents pick vegetables, set the table, and clean up after meals.
  Listen and talk: Sit and listen to your grandparents’ stories, share what you learned at school, and ask about their health.
• Join family activities: Play games together, watch movies, or go for walks.
• Help grandparents: Massage their shoulders, legs, and arms when they are tired, bring them water or medicine.
  Write letters and make cards: Write letters or make cute cards to express gratitude and love to your grandparents and parents.
• Take care of pets: If your family has pets, help take care of them, feed them, and clean their living area.

Lan felt very excited and determined. From that day on, she always tried to help her grandparents and parents whenever she could. She helped her grandmother water the plants, sweep the floor, and always listened to her grandparents’ stories with respect and love.

One evening, as the whole family gathered together, her parents and grandparents were very moved to see Lan growing up and caring more about the family. Her grandfather said, “Lan, you have learned a valuable lesson about love and respect. We are all very proud of you.”

Lan smiled, hugging her grandparents and parents. She understood that thanks to love and respect, the family would become happier and more enduring.

Through this story, I hope children will understand more about the importance of respecting and loving their grandparents and parents, and will practice this in their daily lives.