The old man.

It wasn't the old man's fault. He found it impossible to coordinate his actions.
Old age had began to take its toll of his frail body.
He was eighty-five years old, and after losing his wife two years previously he had lived a lonely life, only seeing his son and family once a month or so.
He adored his grandson Harry. The boy was the old man's pride and joy, and he had pictures of him all over his small home.

His son decided that the time had come when his father just had to come and live with them.
The old man protested that he didn't want to be a bother to them, but when little Harry asked him to "Please come Grandad," he gratefully accepted.

All went well for the first few weeks, but slowly the old man's lack of coordination started to irrate the couple.
There were tea stains on the carpet and food smears on his clothing, and the slurping that he made when drinking his tea was driving them crazy.

It was really getting them both down and they were becoming very angry with the old man.
He just sat in silence whenever they complained about his table manners, but there was nothing he could do about it.

They decided that he would have to eat in his own room, alone once again.
They also suggested that it would be easier for them if the old man used a plastic plate and knife and fork.
These they could afford to throw away after his using them.
He quietly agreed to their suggestion.

Little Harry took his Grandad's first meal to the old man's room and was dismayed to see the tears in the eyes of his beloved Grandad.

The next evening the couple were setting the table for the evening meal.
Little Harry was sat on the floor busy cutting away at a plastic sheet.
His parents enquired what on earth he was making.

I'm making two plastic plates and knives and forks for when you both get old and come to live with me," he innocently replied.
The couple looked at each other and both softly wept.

The son went to his father's room and took him by the hand.
"Come on Dad, he said, your tea is nearly ready."

Kitos.