Theme: Family Ties

 
The greater love

 
Paul was unhappy. His parents were very demanding, they wanted everything right, there was time to leave, time to get there, time to work, time to go to school. Besides, he had to teach the lessons to his young brothers and deliver the clothes that his mother washed, but money never last in that house.

Until one day he could not stand it anymore. He talked to his father and said he would take care of his life. He has already grown up, he was 13 years old. He knew how to live alone. His father tried to show him the difficulties he would find, but he did not give up on the idea. He picked up some clothes, some change that his father managed to put together and there he went happily.

It was early, a beautiful sunny day. He walked, walked, walked, and when the hunger came, he stopped at a diner and had a nice snack.

- This is good I go wherever I want! - He thought. And he kept walking.

At nightfall, he was in a very pretty square. He counted his money, bought a loaf of bread, leaned in a bench, and fell asleep. He woke up early, a little cold, had slept without a blanket, but he thought:

- Everything will be fine.

He'd been so far away that he hardly knew where he was. He went into a bakery and asked to the owner to give him some coffee. He told me that his money was gone and he could not get any more money.

- Get out of here, you lousy boy, if you want to eat go to work - the man shouted.

Paul has never been treated that way. He thought it would be easier to get food. Seeing that Paul's eyes were fill with tears, Mr. Manoel felt sorry and said:

- Come here, boy, I'll feed you, but first you have to wash the warehouse.

It was almost time for lunch when he finished. He was exhausted, almost starving, he had never seen such a large warehouse and such an angry man. He was very scared. But he got good lunch.

He left again walking through places of great movement. People, all in a hurry, did not even notice his presence. When night fell near a bridge, he thought:

- There's a good place to sleep, and tomorrow I'll get a job.

He ran down the bridge, but the place was already occupied. An entire family was living there. The streets became deserted, the movement decreasing and Paul walked, without knowing where to go; sat down on the sidewalk and wondered, until someone put his hand on his head and called him a son.

He was a night watchman, who looked like a father. Paul's heart began to beat harder. What was going to happen?

- Boy, what's your name? - asked the guard.

- Paul - the boy replied.

- What are you doing on the street at this hour? Why do not you go home?

- I don’t have a home yet.

- Why not? Where are you from?

- From the house that was mine, I decided to leave it to live alone.

- But that's not right. It is close to your parents that you will live better. Soon you will be a man made and you can help your family more.

- I have to take care of myself, each one must think about itself.

The guard looked at Paul very sadly and said:

- Life will teach you a lot, boy. – and he walked away.

Paul was very cold all night. By the time dawn had begun, a fine shower of rain washed the whole street. He got up and went on his way.

Finally, he spotted a sign that read "Needs a minor boy, for easy work." It was for him. His problem was solved. He would work, earn his money and would not need anyone. He came in. It was a food factory and the owner explained:

- We have room for you to sleep, work and eat.

All problems were solve. Your job would be simple.

He would have to take care of a pig farm owned by the factory owner. To sleep there was a little corner in the sty, the food was taken from the one that would be served to the pigs. He had no choice but to accept it. The rain continued, the cold increased. At night Paul began to remember his brothers. In his hut there was a gutter, brothers and parents should be cold at the time. A sympathetic figure appeared in his thoughts. He heard a voice again:

- Close to yours is that you will live better, seeking to collaborate with them life will be easier for all.

He had an idea. At that hour, the guard should be working. He ran to find him; heard a whistle too far and followed him, every time he was hearing the whistle louder, until he saw the figure of the guard. He reached him and could barely breathe.

- Mr. Guard, can you help me?

- On what?

- I thought a lot about what you told me. I know that my parents are very poor, but they love me and I love them and my brothers back very much, and I know that my place is with them. But I cannot go back.

- Why?

- I have no money!

- Oh boy, that's no problem. I'll get you some change.

Paul returned and along with him the joy in his shack. It was a party. His brothers ran to get him clean clothes, his parents cried with emotion, it was as if he had been born again.

Text of Candida Chirello.

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com