Theme: Animals

Marcelo and Boss

The truck arrived at the farm, brought Marcelo and his father back from the city where they had gone shopping.

Marcelo arrived hungry and went straight to the kitchen, where his mother had already set the table with a delicious snack. He ate cake, juice and made a huge sandwich, the way he liked it, with a lot of filling.

He took the lunch to eat on the porch where the cool breeze calmed the heat.

Boss, his dog, seeing him from far away, came running, wagging his tail, glad he had returned.

They were inseparable friends. They played, walked and even slept together. Boss was big, cute and strong; he ran all over the farm with Marcelo. He roared to protect him from strangers, accepted all the jokes and rides that the boy invented and since it was a puppy he had a bed to sleep in the room with Marcelo.

- I'm here, Boss! Said the boy, stroking the dog which jumped on him with joy.

His father, who was still unloading his groceries, when saw Marcelo asked him to bring some boxes into the kitchen. The boy helped and quickly they unloaded everything.

Marcelo had left the plate with the sandwich on the porch table, but when he returned to pick it up, he had a surprise: the plate was empty and Boss, next to him, licked the last crumbs on the floor, wagging his tail satisfied.

- Boss! - Yelled Marcelo angrily - You ate my sandwich! You traitor. You knew it was mine. I'm not your friend anymore!

He shoved the dog that was coming to him, and ran out, trying to leave Boss behind.

Marcelo was annoyed for not eaten the snack and for the attitude of the dog, because he was disappointed with him.

He went to the stall, picked up his horse and galloped off, which was one of the things he liked best.

Boss went also. He was running after Marcelo, who was getting distance by making the horse run fast.

The dog was already well behind when the horse suddenly freaked out with a quail. The frightened bird flew right under the horse, which tilted, knocking Marcelo to the ground.

The boy rolled across the floor and spent some time lying down, trying to recover from the fall and the fright. The horse moved away, still agitated. Boss, who had not given up following his friend, arrived soon.

Marcelo could no longer see his horse. He tried to lean on Boss to get up but he could not. He realized that he had injured his ankle because he could barely put his foot on the ground. He stood there, thinking that it would be late for his parents to miss him and come after him. He lay on the floor, unable to do anything and began to cry. Boss seemed to realize that something was wrong. He licked his friend, tried to cheer him up to play, wagging his tail but Marcelo remained in the same situation.

Boss then lay down beside him, leaning against Marcelo and stayed like this for a long time. Suddenly he got up, licked his friend and ran off, very fast, back to the farmhouse.

Boss came barking loudly. He went to the door of the house, scraped his paw and jumped out the window. He called so much attention that Marcelo's mother went to see what was happening. When she left, Boss continued barking, agitated.

The mother, without finding Marcelo, went to speak with the father, who soon realized that it needed to go looking for the son. His horse also appeared alone in the pasture and this was another sign that something had happened.

The father climbed on the horse and followed Boss who was already running ahead.

In a few minutes, the dog guided the father to the boy. Marcelo was then taken home where he received all the care and guidance of the family doctor.

At night, everyone gathered to say a prayer, thanking them all for having finished well. Marcelo then told what had happened and said:

- I was angry with Boss because he ate my sandwich. But then he proved that he is my friend.

- Of course, son - his father explained - he ate his lunch because animals use instinct more than reason. And the instinct to feed themselves is one of the strongest for them. Although he has the free will to eat or not to eat, he cannot be blamed for it, as the man, for he has not yet awakened his conscience. The same would be if he were a very small child, for example, or someone with a mental disability.

And the father continued:

- It is up to those who have more understanding and conscience to take care of and prevent situations. You could, for example, have put the sandwich out of his reach. We have the role of educating animals and helping them to evolve, by example of good feelings and good attitudes, just as good spirits do with us. By God's law is: the evolving superior protects the inferior. We must have that understanding.

And to finish, he added:

- See that he was able to notice the situation and help you. He's done a rehearsal essay, probably driven by the friendship he feels for you.

Marcelo, pleased with the explanation of his father, felt even more affection for his friend dog and gave him a big hug, saying:

- Thanks Boss! I'll always take care of you too.

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com