The Wooden Plate

Version by Elton Camp (I make no claim to this centuries-old tale. It’s usually presented in the form of a short story, so I decided to cast it as a humor/pathos poem brought more up to date.) Grandpa always made his own way With reluctance, he moved in to stay Night times, he was often awake Daytimes, his old hands did shake One day, he broke a fine china plate The accident his daughter did hate “Now my set’s no longer complete! From china, you don’t deserve to eat.” The old fellow dropped his head But there was nothing to be said But inwardly, he ruefully smiled At how much she broke as a child Silently, sadly he took the blame Circumstances weren’t the same That day, with her son in tow To the store she angrily did go “I want for gramps a wood plate,” Sharply to her small son did state “The old fool will find it hard to break. I’ve had about as much as I can take.” Son said, “I know what to do. Instead of one, let’s buy two.” “Now why should I do that! You’re stupid as gramps, brat!” She turned ashen as the child told “You can eat off it when you’re old.”