The Changing Efforts Of A Naughty Boy

Since Louie was a very naughty boy, his mother would always have to rebuke him for the wrong things he did. He would pull the cat's tail, quarrel with his sister, argue with his classmates at school, dismantle his bicycle, break the stereo, among other things. When he was rebuked, realising what he had done, Louie would say:

- Sorry, Mom. I did not think it through. Before I knew it I had already done it!

Therefore, his mother had to be always attentive to what Louie was doing. 

One day, after he had done something wrong and tired of his tricks, his mother said to him in a very serious tone:

- Honey, you need to think better about what the things you do. You're eight and cannot act like a three year-old!...

Feeling guilty, he explained:

- I know, Mom. But when I noticed it I had already done it!

- That’s exactly the point, Louie… you need to think first. After we do something, there's no turning back. For example: Yesterday you climbed on the roof of the house. You could have fallen and been seriously injured! The other day, behind my back, you lit a match and set fire to a bunch of old things you did not want anymore in your room. And if I hadn't seen it, you could have burned down our house! Fortunately, I smelled the smoke and managed to put out the fire before it caused greater damage! And another day...

- Enough, Mom! I know you're right. I have been acting very badly. I promise I will not do it again. I'll try to improve - said the boy.

- All right, sweetheart. This is an important decision. Pray and ask Jesus for help. You will certainly be helped as long as you really want to improve. But before you do anything, think: would I like if  someone did this to me?

And that's what the boy did. At night, before going to bed, he asked Jesus to warn him when he was about to do something wrong. And when Louie woke up in the morning, he said to himself:

- I’m going to do everything right today, as Mom taught me. Jesus will help me!

Full of good intentions, Louie left the house. 

On his way to school, he saw Amanda walking in front of him and he did not like her very much. He had the urge to pull her hair and run. When he already had his arm outstretched to grab her hair, Louie remembered what his mother had said, and thought: If I were in her place, would I like it to have this done to me? No, I would not like it! So he lowered his arm. The girl saw him, he smiled at her and they began to talk as they walked together to school. And, after all, Amanda was not as annoying as he thought. She was actually very nice!...

At recess, Louie saw George holding a sandwich in his hand which he was about to eat. At that moment, Louie felt like throwing his classmate's snack on the floor, just to watch his reaction. Suddenly, he thought better, and gave it up, lowering his arm. Because he was near, Louie sat down next to the boy and they began to talk. So he learned that George was very poor and that his mother had prepared that sandwich to be eaten for breakfast, but he had preferred to take it to eat at school, so that he would be like the other boys. Louie asked:

- George, you're a nice guy! Why are you always isolated from everyone else?

- It’s because I'm very shy. But I like to talk, like we are doing now!

They left that area and went on to play on the slide and had a good time. Soon recess was over and they went back to class, but now they were friends.

On his way back home, Louie saw a street dog and wanted to kick it. Perceiving his intention, the animal shrank back against a wall, full of fear. But once again the boy thought about what he was going to do and stopped. Seeing the frightened little dog, he bent down and gave it affection. The little animal, now with a different expression, looked at him and licked his hand, snuggling against his legs. Filled with pity, Louie took his new friend home.

The mother was surprised to see her son arrive with a dog but the boy explained:

- Mom, I found this puppy on the street. Apparently he has no owner. Can I keep him?

- Yes, honey. But you will be responsible for him. He will depend on you.

- You can count on me, Mom. I'll take good care of him.

Louie arranged a place for his new friend to sleep, fixed him a container with food and another with water, and then gave him a good shower. Soon, the dog looked different.

Before going to sleep, his mother went to wish him good night and saw that the little animal was at the side of the bed. She smiled and asked:

- What's his name?

- Spot. Mom, did you see how he became my friend?

- It is true. Whenever we do good we get good things back. And friendship is one of them!

Louie thought a little bit, then commented on the day he had:

- You’re right, Mom. Today, I woke up with the purpose of doing everything right, and yet I almost lost everything. But when I was going to do something wrong, something reminded me of my goal and I would think of the words you told me last night, that is, that I should put myself in the other person's shoes. And that's what I did!... 

And he told his mother everything that had happened, finally saying:

- Thanks to behaving well, I did everything right and I got three new friends today: Amanda, who was not boring like I thought; George, who did not talk to me because he was very shy, and I found him to be quite nice. And, finally, my dear Spot, who found a home. For all this, I am happy, Mom! ... I am at peace with myself and with others! ... And all this in one day!

The mother smiled, wrapping her son in a big, affectionate hug. 

- I see how you're feeling, honey. This is the peace of a clear conscience. So let's say a prayer and thank Jesus for the day you had today. And may your future days be full of blessings too. 

MEIMEI

(Psychographed by Celia X. de Camargo on July 4, 2011.)

Translation:
Johnny Silveira / silveirajohnny@yahoo.com