New son, new
brother!
Carlos was in his early teens, the age when the revolt
and irritation were constant. He complained about
everything and was never content with anything. He
complained about his family, his school, his food, his
clothes, his house, his friends.
Because of this, people have begun to
walk away from him, because there is no one who likes
someone who is always moody.
One day he was particularly
unpleasant. He had quarreled with his little sister,
broken a toy of her on purpose and beaten the dog.
The mother reproved him with
affection, saying:
- My son, in order to live well with
people, we must learn to love and respect all those who
live with us and everything around us. We all love you,
but no one is forced to endure your constant bad mood.
What's happening? You have everything and you are always
annoyed! Stop being so selfish. There are people who
have far less than you and do not complain. Think about
it!
Carlos, red of anger, and even
angrier with his mother's words, turned away grunting:
- Nobody understands me in this
house! It's all my fault!
He walk through the garden to leave;
when he opened the gate, he stopped, looking at a street
kid.
On another occasion, he would have
run off the boy. Against his will, though, he was
pensive. His mother's words continued to vibrate in his
mind. He knew she was right. He felt his friends
distant, avoiding approaching him; the little sister,
who had always cherished him, now looked at him
fearfully.
- I'm hungry. Do you have any bread?
- Asked the boy with a sad look.
The boy's words touched him. It must
be hard to feel hungry, he thought.
With a softer heart, Carlos rushed in
and came back with a glass of milk and a sandwich he
prepared himself.
While the boy ate, he sat down next
to him on the sidewalk and began to talk.
- My name is Carlos. And yours? - He
asked.
- Peter.
- And where do you live, Peter? - He
asked.
- I live in a neighborhood far away,
with people who welcomed me. I have no family - said the
little boy, bowing his head sadly.
When Pedro saw that he had no family,
Carlos replied, without thinking:
- I envy you, Peter. Having family is
very annoying! Especially mother, who nags a lot. I
really wish to live alone!
The boy raised his head and Carlos
realized that his eyes were full of tears.
- You do not know what living alone
is, Carlos. Not having a home, having no family, having
no father or mother; not to have someone caring for you,
to guide you, even scolds you. Someone you can talk to,
talk about your problems, your questions. Someone who,
when you are sick, give you medicine and stay by your
side. You do not know what it is to be alone. Especially
without having a mother.
Carlos realized that he had slip up
and, embarrassed, he agreed:
- You're right, Peter. I spoke
without thinking. But what about the host family? Is it
not good?
- It is very good. Look, I did not
know my father, and when my mother became ill and died,
this family helped me. So I do not want to be
ungrateful, I owe a lot to her. Although extremely poor,
they helped me when I needed it most. But it is not the
same. I miss my mother; you know?
- I see.
At that moment Carlos felt the
importance of having a family, of having a mother. His
heart was filled with a new feeling that burst in his
heart and he had never realized, worried about himself:
LOVE.
The two boys did not realize that,
right there, hugging them with love, it was the mother
of Peter, disembodied.
In Carlos's mind came an idea. An
immense compassion for Peter made him invite him in.
- Come on. I want you to meet my
mother.
They entered. Carlos introduced Peter
to his mother. He was so different, moved, that she
realized at once that something had happened to her son.
- Welcome, Peter. But what happened,
my son?
- Mom! I know Mother's Day is coming
and I usually give you a gift. Will you accept any gift
I give you?
- Of course, my son! But I do not
need presents. I have you!
- But I want to give you a present,
Mama.
- Whatever it is, I accept it gladly,
my son.
Approaching Peter, who listened to
the conversation without understanding anything, Carlos
put his arm around his shoulders and, with his eyes
watered, said:
- Do you accept a new child, Mother?
In short, I will have another brother!
- But... and Peter's family, my son?
Carlos told his mother the situation
of the new friend, but she, still in doubt, asked:
- Peter, and this family you live
with? They are your friends! Would not they be sad
without you?
Surprised and delighted with the idea
of Carlos, unable to believe his happiness, he
replied:
- No, ma'am. They are my friends, I
really like them and I will always be grateful. They
helped me in an hour of need, when my mother died and I
was alone. But I think it would be a relief for them not
to have a mouth to feed. You know how it is, life is so
hard!...
- And you would like to come and live
with us? Well, it seems that Carlos did not ask for your
opinion and we need to know what you really want!
The boy smiled, excited:
- I would be very happy to have a new
family!
Also moved by Peter's situation, his
mother had no more doubts. She ran to them, hugging them
in excitement, saying to her son:
- Carlos, your father and I always
wanted to adopt another child, but we were afraid of
your reaction. Your father and little sister will also
be very happy.
Then, turning to Peter, she added:
- Welcome, my son, to your new home.
And on that day the joy returned to
that house, with the blessings of God.
Carlos became a more understanding,
humorous, and happy little boy, because he stopped
thinking only about himself, extending love to another
in need.
A few days later, reunited for lunch,
the current family and the one who helped Peter,
celebrated Mother's Day together as if they were all
part of a single family.
There, next to them, radiant with
joy, was the mother of Peter, who surrounded everyone
with infinite love and gratitude.
TIA CÉLIA
Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com