In ancient times, it was said, “Among all virtues, filial piety is the foremost.” There’s no virtue more important than showing respect and care for one’s parents, and this behavior transcends age. This truth was profoundly illustrated by a story recorded by a young man working at a noodle stand, a story that left an indelible mark on his memory. The protagonist of this touching tale is an 8 or 9-year-old boy whose actions and dedication are nothing short of admirable. He brought his blind father to the noodle stand to enjoy a bowl of beef noodles, and what he left behind brought tears to the eyes of the staff.
A humble arrival
One quiet afternoon, when the noodle stand was less busy, a boy around 8 or 9 years old walked in, supporting his blind father. Although their clothes were clean, they appeared somewhat worn. The boy’s eyes were bright, and his demeanor was calm and composed, suggesting he was still in school. He carefully seated his father before running over to place their order.
An unexpected order
When placing the order, the boy’s calmness suddenly shifted. He almost shouted: “Two bowls of beef noodles!” The young man working at the stand was momentarily stunned and was about to start preparing the noodles when the boy quickly waved his hand, a look of apology on his face. He pointed to the menu on the wall, indicating the scallion oil noodles, and then pointed to himself.
The young man immediately understood — the boy wanted to save money by ordering the cheaper noodles for himself without his father noticing. Soon, the young man served him a bowl of scallion oil noodles and placed a bowl of beef noodles in front of his father.
A father’s sacrifice
The boy handed his father the chopsticks and said: “Dad, the noodles are here. Eat slowly; be careful, they’re hot.” However, the father didn’t start eating right away. Instead, he used his chopsticks to feel around the bowl, then picked up pieces of beef and placed them in his son’s bowl.
“Eat more, fill up, and study well. Go to college and become someone useful to society,” the father said earnestly as he transferred the beef. The boy smiled and agreed, but he didn’t refuse the meat. When his father finally started eating the noodles, the boy quietly moved all the beef back into his father’s bowl, showing practiced ease.
The father, eating his noodles, smiled and said: “This place is generous; there’s so much beef in this bowl.” The boy replied with a smile: “Yes! My bowl couldn’t hold all the beef.”
A surprising gift
The young man at the noodle stand felt a pang of guilt as he looked at the thin slices of beef, regretting not adding more meat earlier. At that moment, his aunt, who hired him, stepped over and quietly observed the father and son. She instructed him to cut an extra plate of beef and place it on their table. The boy glanced around, seeing no other customers, and gently said, “We didn’t order extra beef.”
His aunt firmly pushed the plate toward them, smiling: “This is a special gift for our anniversary celebration. It’s free.” The boy and his father thanked her with smiles. The boy then moved some of the beef to his father’s bowl, and when his father was full, he took out a plastic bag from his schoolbag, packed the remaining beef, and left without eating a single piece himself.
An unexpected payment
After they left, the young man went to clear their table and exclaimed in surprise. Under the plate of beef, there was a bill and a few coins, the exact amount for a plate of beef. Holding the money, he and his aunt were speechless, overwhelmed by the boy’s act of kindness and respect.
Although we don’t know what profession this boy will pursue when he grows up, one thing is certain: He will become a valuable person to society, just as his father hoped, because he possesses two of the most essential qualities: filial piety and determination.
Translated by cecilia
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