An Encounter With Reality

Mark was a boy who, despite having everything, took for granted all of the things that he had.

He was never happy with the toys he received and always complained about the clothes his mother would buy for him with such care. But the worst was at mealtimes. Mark was never satisfied, saying the food was always bad and tasteless.

His mother would advise him, worried about his well-being:

- Eat a little, honey. You need to eat!

- I do not want to! I do not like anything! This food sucks. I want chocolate and cookies.

- But, darling - his mother insisted with affection and tolerance - you have not even tried it yet! The roast beef is delicious. We need food to fuel our body. You will end up weak...

But the boy would grimace in displeasure and answer in a rude way:

- No, I do not want to. I do not like roast beef. Maybe if it were a chicken pot pie...

His mother would sigh in discouragement. The next day, however, at lunchtime, his mother said contentedly:

- Today I made you what you wanted, honey. Look what we have for lunch: a beautiful and appetising chicken pot pie!

The boy made a face and complained in a sullen mood:

- Chicken pot pie? But today I want to have pasta!

And so it always happened: at breakfast, at lunch, at dinner. Nothing was ever good enough.

He did not feed himself well except for junk food, and every day he weakened a bit more, despite his mother advising him with concern:

- Mark, we must learn how to thank God for what He gives us. There are many children who would give everything to have what you have but take for granted.

Mark had a schoolmate who did not talk much. He was a humble, good and delicate boy, and Mark liked him.

One day Mark complained about his mother's insistence that he feed himself and asked Johnny if his mother was like that too.

- No - said Johnny, humbly.

- What? Doesn’t your mother insist that you eat?

- No. My mother leaves me to my own devices.

Mark got very excited:

- Ah! How would I like to live in your house! I'm tired of the life I lead. May I spend a couple of days with you? Look, this weekend I'll be free… My parents are going to travel and I will stay home with the house servants. It will not be difficult to persuade my Mom to let me stay at your house. Please? I would like it very much!

At Mark's insistence, Johnny agreed reluctantly.

They did not have much time because it was already Friday. Granted permission to spend the weekend at his friend’s home, Mark packed some things in a small backpack and off they went to Johnny's house.

They had to walk there and they walked a lot. This was Mark's first disappointment, for the house was really far away, in a distant neighbourhood.

When they arrived there, the boy was surprised by the simplicity of the house. It was a small wooden building, painted cream and surrounded by a little garden.

Johnny introduced his friend to his mother, explaining that Mark was going to be a guest of the house for two days. The amiable lady spoke to him with a friendly smile:

- Welcome, my darling!

Claiming that he was tired, Mark wanted to rest for a while and asked where his room would be.

- Right here! My brother, you and I will sleep in the same room. You and my brother will take the beds, I'll sleep on the floor.

Mark said nothing but did not like sharing the room with other people. He had always had his own room.

The meal was frugal, consisting of tea and toast. Not used to it, Mark asked:

- Is that it?

- Yes, this is our supper - kindly replied the lady of the house - Since my husband died, our situation has become very difficult and I struggle to support the house. Would you like some tea?

- I do not like tea, thank you.

- I'm sorry. We have nothing else to offer you. When I have money I buy milk, but today I did not.

Mark went to sleep on an empty stomach. The next morning, breakfast was even more scarce. There was no bread, only tea.

It was Saturday and there would be no class. Johnny's mother woke them up early. They needed to help her with the vegetable garden.

Unwillingly, Mark worked the whole morning. At lunchtime he was starving. To eat, they had eggs, carrots and cabbage, picked from the garden, with rice.

Because of how hungry he was Mark accepted that simple food with pleasure. After lunch they helped with the housework then went to play.

Later on Mark became hungry again. He remembered his mother's delicious food, the sweet pastries, the cookies ... and felt a deep longing. Now it all seemed so important to him!

Johnny's mother had made bread and the smell of baked bread was very inviting. He ate bread and had tea, as if it were the best meal in the world.

After the weekend, when he returned home, he was quite different. When he saw his mother, Mark said to her:

- I’ve missed you so much, Mom. 

- How was your weekend? - she asked, feeling something had happened. 

- You know, Mom, I've learned a lot. I even learned to like tea, carrots and cabbage! Johnny is a very poor boy and they have almost nothing to eat. He has no clothes, no toys, and his shoes have holes in them. Now I understand why you said that we have to thank God for everything we have. 

The mother hugged her son.

- That’s great, honey, that you now think so. 

- I now understand that life can be very difficult, and I think I’ve had an encounter with reality. I want to ask you to come with me to Johnny's house. There's so much I don’t need and that they lack!

The mother looked at her eight-year-old with tears in her eyes, and now he looked like a little man, speaking so earnestly and intently. 

She hugged him with great affection, thanking God for the fruitful lesson her son had had.

Aunt Celia

Translation:
Johnny Silveira / silveirajohnny@yahoo.com