The story tells us about a man who had not meet his friend, Simon Radevin for fifteen years. He wondered how will Simon appeared after fifteen years. He was startled when he saw Simon became a stout man but he still full of happiness and enthusiastic man. Simon introduced his daughter and son whose fourteen and thirteen respectively. Simon has five children and three of them are at home. When they arrived at Simon's house, he was startled when he saw Madame Radevin was not longer like before who was skinny, light-haired and insipid girl. He also met with the three others of their children and a paralyzed old man, Madame Radevin's grandfather. The occurrence started when they had dinner together. During the dinner, the old man make witty action by the way he ate and response towards the foods. The old man likes to eat any sweet foods that is bad for his health. When he request to eat more sweetened rice, Simon refused to give as he said that the old man had eaten too much and he can have no more. The main character felt so sad as based on the verse ; " there was nothing left for him to do in his life ,nothing whatever. He had one single wish left,one sole pleasure ; why not grant him that last solace until he died?"
In my opinion, it would be disrespectful when the children laughed towards the old man. They shouldn't make fun of his inability. Simon should be a good father, a good role model for his children. For the main character himself, i think that he must to understand the problem face by the old man ; he cannot eat all the sweets for the sake of his health. Maybe the main character need to advice his friend,Simon to be a good father.