Tears and laughter: Promoting gross national happiness through the rich oral traditions and heritage of Bhutan

There was once a very old man, who eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing. When he sat at the table, he could barely hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth. His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it. He used to look towards the table with his eyes full of tears. Once, too, his trembling hands could not hold the bowl, and it fell to the ground and broke. The young wife scolded him, but he said nothing and only sighed. Then they bought him a wooden bowl for a few [rupees], out of which he had to eat. They were once sitting thus when the little grandson of four years old began to gather together some bits of wood on the ground. “What are you doing there? ” asked the father. “I am making a little trough,” answered the child, “for father and mother to eat out of when I am big. ” The man and wife looked at each other for a while, and presently began to cry. Then they took the old grandfather to the table and henceforth always let him eat with them, and likewise said nothing if he did spill a little of anything. This tale, or ones similar to it, has been told for centuries around the world, from South America, to Europe, to the Far East. It not only reflects the wisdom of the innocent child, but is also a poignant reminder of the age-old adage to honor your father and your mother and to respect your elders. It reminds us how easy it is to become dissatisfied with life, but gently eases us back to a state of satisfaction and happiness with our everyday circumstances