Family Duty and Honor

Several years ago I was listening to Dr. Laura and she read an email with a Native American Story. My memory fades but it was about a Grandfather, Father and Son/Grandson.

The grandfather who was aging and frail (he could no longer even walk) was becoming a burden on the tribe and father. The father instructed his son to make a bed out of tree limbs, place the grandfather in it and drag him up the mountain and leave him there to die. The son initially protested being so close to his grandfather, but did as his Father told him. The next day the two of them put the old man on the carrier and spent the day hauling him up the mountain. They set him up by a rock and made him comfortable and after saying the tearful goodbye's the Father turned to walk back down the mountain. The son turned to join him and began dragging the empty carrier back down the hill. The father turned and told him, "Son don't worry about the carrier - just pick up the pace". The son replied - "But Father, I will need this for you".

We learn by example.