This one hit me hard. A gentle reminder for all parents out there.
— “Put the chain on me,” the boy whispered, eyes filled with quiet hope.
That morning was like so many others:
— “Get up! Wash your face! Comb your hair! Put your shirt on — hurry!”
— “No time for breakfast! Take your juice with you — and don’t spill it!”
— “What did I just say, huh? You already stained it! I’m sick of this. You never do anything right!”
The boy said nothing.
He couldn’t say “Dad.”
He was afraid.
At school, he couldn’t focus.
Always lost in thought. Always sad.
He kept wondering why other kids were happy… and he wasn’t.
Later that day, in a rare moment of courage, he spoke:
— “Today my teacher asked, ‘What does your dad do for work?’ And I didn’t know what to say…”
— “I train dogs,” his father replied, still not looking up.
— “What do you teach them?” the boy asked softly.
— “To be obedient. Not to destroy things. To protect. To guide the blind. To save lives. To be patient, brave, and loyal. And to do it all… without expecting anything in return.”
— “And how do you train them?”
— “I just put a little chain on them. I walk beside them, speak calmly, correct them without hurting, and then I give them affection — so they know I’m not angry. But it takes patience… a lot of patience.”
The boy swallowed hard. His eyes welled up.
He looked at his father and said in a trembling voice:
— “Then put the chain on me too, Dad…
I want to learn with you.
Correct me without shouting.
Hug me afterwards.
Be patient with me.
I’ll protect our home. I’ll learn to take care of others.
And if one day… you lose your sight,
I’ll be your eyes.
Just… put the chain on me.”
The father broke down in tears.
And in that embrace, a new kind of chain was formed —
An invisible one, made of love, patience, and tenderness.
One that, if cherished, never breaks.
🤍 Let’s not forget: our kid need time, care, and gentleness.
Because love isn’t shouted… it’s shown.