The power of
understanding
One of Jonas’s toy had disappeared. Annoyed, suspecting
that his brother Lucas, just three years old, was to
blame, shouted:
- Lucas, return my new red car.
- I don’t know where it is. I didn’t get your cart. -
answered the little one.
- Yes, you did. Tell me where you hid him, Lucas!
But the little boy kept repeating, stamping his foot and
crying:
- I didn’t, I didn’t, I didn’t.
Seeing the confusion and Lucas in tears, the mother
takes the little one in the lap and says to the eldest
son:
- Jonas, my son, you are already eleven and you cannot
quarrel with your little brother. If Lucas says he
didn’t, believe it. Look it correctly and you will find
your toy.
Snorting with anger, Jonas leaves the room and begins to
look for the car. He looked it in the bedroom, the
backyard, the porch, the living room, and even the
bathroom. Nothing of his favorite toy.
Without knowing where else to look, Jonas entered the
office and, looking at his father's bookshelf, thought:
It can only be there!
He took all the books off the shelf.
When his father arrived at home at dusk, he was scared.
He found Jonas lost in the middle of the books,
disappointed.
- What happened, son? - He asked, surprised.
- I was looking for my car, Dad.
- In the middle of my books? And did you find it?
- No, dad.
- Well. Now, put the books back.
- But, Daddy! I'm tired! - Complained the boy,
grimacing.
With much patience, the father considered:
- Jonas, you made the mess. So, you have to pack up
everything by putting the books in place! You can start
now, otherwise you will not finish until bedtime.
They did not see that little Lucas had entered, hiding
behind the table, and listened to the conversation.
As soon as their father left the room, Lucas asked on
his way:
- Do you want some help, Jonas?
With a large pile of books in his arms, which he could
barely carry, his brother replied sullenly:
- You?! Get out of here, you little brat! You do not
have the strength to carry such heavy books. Now let me
work!
It was not long, Jonas was exhausted. He decided to stop
for a while to rest and have a snack, but he was so
tired that he sat on the sofa of the living room in
front of the television and ended up dozing off.
When he woke up, he was scared!
- Oh my God, I fell asleep and I did not finish my dad's
books!
He ran into the office and had a big surprise.
It seemed like a miracle! Although a bit scruffy, the
books were all in place!
- Who did that? - He asked quietly, unable to believe
it.
A cheerful, clear voice answered:
- It was me!
It was Lucas, satisfied with his service, carrying the
last book.
- How could you do that, Lucas? They are very heavy! How
could you carry a pile of books?
- Well, I didn’t carry a pile of books. I took it one by
one!
Jonas stared at his brother, amazed at the work he had
done. He realized that he had despised little Lucas's
help, thinking he was incapable of. But his little
brother had proved he could do the job. He certainly
could not carry a great weight, but he had used his
little head and transported the books slowly.
Jonas approached his brother and hugged him
affectionately.
- Lucas, today you have shown me that we can always
accomplish what we want. It is enough that we have good
will and creativity. Thank you, little brother.
The parents, who were passing by at that moment and
stopped to observe the scene, were also pleased to see
the brothers embraced and in peace.
Smiling, her mother considered:
- For the lesson to be completed, there's still one
thing missing, Jonas. Remember your red car? I have
found it, my son. It was in the middle of your clothes,
in the closet.
Blushing with embarrassment, Jonas turned to his brother
and said:
- Lucas, I do not know how to apologize for the way I
acted. Today, I judged you wrongly and made a mistake,
twice. Also, you have shown that you are small in size
but have a big heart. Despite being mistreated by me,
endured my bad mood, my irritation, forgot everything
and when you saw that I was in trouble, you helped me
with joy, performing a task that was mine. Can you
forgive me?
The little boy hugged Jonas with a broad smile:
- Of course! Will you take me for a walk tomorrow?
Everyone laughed, pleased to be part of a family that
had problems like any other, but above all was happy,
because there was understanding, generosity and love
among all.
TIA CÉLIA
Translation: