A Different
Father's Day
At the end of the class that Friday, the teacher
reminded her students:
- I wish you a good weekend, and do not forget "Father's
Day" will be this Sunday!
The students got excited about "Father's Day" and what
they could give their parents. Each one thought of
something different: a shirt, a pair of shoes, a box of
chocolates, a pen and more. Charlie went home wondering
what he would give his father according to his own
wishes.
Suddenly, he decided:
- I got it! I'm going for a walk with my father! Just
like he does with me on Children's Day! Dad always gives
me an exciting day that I really like. I'll do the same
to him!
So, looking forward to it, he arrived at home smiling.
He said nothing to anyone. His parents noticed that
Charlie was all mysterious but when they asked him what
was going on, he would only answer:
- Nothing, Mom! Nothing, Dad! I’m just thinking of
something my teacher said.
On Sunday, Charlie woke up early, poured a glass of
milk, fixed a sandwich, put it all on a tray and went to
wake up his father, who was still sleeping. He joyfully
entered the room, hugged his father and kissed him on
the cheek saying:
- Happy Father’s Day! Dad, eat your breakfast and get
out of bed! Wear shorts and a T-shirt and come with me!
I've been awake for a long time! I want to go out!
- But it's too early, son! - said his father still
rubbing his eyes.
- No, it is not. I want to go for a walk with you, Dad!
Seeing no other way, his father got out of bed, did his
habitual hygiene process and went to the kitchen to have
some strong coffee. The table, to his surprise, was
already set. Charlie put coffee into his father's cup,
added some sugar, and asked him to stir it to see if it
was to his liking. His dad thought it was too sweet but
said it was great!
When his father finished his breakfast, Charlie brought
out the picnic basket and said:
- Now we're going for a walk, Daddy. Come on! You will
have a different day!
His father smiled at him, then looked at his wife and
nodded as if to say: “OK, let’s see what else is going
to happen!”
- Mom, would you like to come for a walk with us? - the
boy asked.
- No, dear. I have many things to do today. You two go!
Father and son left the house and walked to a woods
where Charlie liked to play and to which his father
always took him. They sat down, put their feet in the
lake, ran through the trees until they were tired. Then,
already hungry, the little one opened the picnic basket
and said:
- Daddy, here's our snack! Let's eat?
They ate everything and drank all the juice that Charlie
had made so willingly, then rested. By three o'clock in
the afternoon, they were so tired they decided to go
home, happy and satisfied.
His mother, seeing them
arrive, put her hands on her waist and said:
- Wow! You were gone forever! You must be tired, I
imagine! Would you like something to eat?
- No way! - said his father - We're full! We ate too
much today.
Then she asked Charlie:
- What idea was this, Charlie, to take your father for a
walk?
- Mom, I like it so much when he does this to me, that I
decided to give my father a day just like it!
His mother smiled and the father hugged his son saying:
- Son, it was the best day I have ever had! I've never
had a Father's Day like this! Thank you!
Charlie, with tears in his eyes, answered:
- Well, I did this by reminding myself of the times you
took me for a walk on Children's Day! Happy Father's
Day, Dad!
The three of them hugged each other, feeling great
satisfaction and joy. After all, they had a different
day!...
MEIMEI
(Psychographed by Célia X. de Camargo, 24/07/2017.)
Translation:
Johnny Silveira / silveirajohnny@yahoo.com