Theme: God and joy

 
The gift

Once upon a time there was a girl who loved to buy things. She was from a very rich family and her favorite hobby was to walk through the big boutiques, trying on beautiful dresses. After, she would parade in front of toy store windows and always chose the most expensive and precious ones.

Her parents, wish to please her, bought everything as a gift to her. However, they ended up being kept. Once they were purchased, the girl lost interest in them.

Over time, she showed no more interest in anything else. And so, day after day, the girl became increasingly unhappy. Her parents started to worry. She didn't want to eat, she didn't want to play, she didn't talk to anyone. She lived alone, sulky in the corners of the rich house where she lived.

One day, the little girl sighed sadly by the window. Suddenly, she heard a very soft sound, a sweet melody, sung by someone the girl could not see. Intrigued by that song, the girl went out the front door. She looked up and down the street, looking for the source of the melody she still heard. Not far away, she saw a small silhouette, lowered against the ground.

The wealthy girl walked carefully towards the figure, therefore, as not to frighten anyone. As she approached, she realized that it was a girl, small and slight, who had in her hands a handful of beautiful white flowers, which were picked from the ground, among the cobblestones.

- Oh! Hello! - greeted the flower girl, with bright eyes and a beautiful smile on her thin face.

- Hello ... What are you doing here? - asked the other, noticing that the new companion wore very simple clothes and perhaps felt cold, as large rain clouds were approaching.

- I'm already on my way home. I just stopped to pick these beautiful flowers. See how beautiful they are! They are a real gift!

The rich girl looked astonished. She remembered all her coats, dresses, toys, shoes, jewelry, everything that huddled in her room. “How is it possible that flowers are a gift? Even more these little white flowers, so simple and without perfume?” she thought.

Observing the disbelief of the newcomer, the flower girl laughed. - Why don't you know that flowers are a gift from God? - And, gesturing widely with her little hand to the rain that was beginning to fall, she continued: - Just like this rain! Look what a beauty! Look at how the drops make a lace of water on the floor and the veil of the clouds leaves the crystalline air!

Approaching to the rich girl, with a small smile on her lips, the little girl said in a low voice: - You know, I'm going to tell you a secret. God hides the most beautiful gifts around us, so we can remember how He loves us and how beautiful life is. Sometimes we are too distracted to understand it. But there is no problem, because they are always there. As soon as you pay attention, you'll see how many wonders you have at your fingertips.

From her small bouquet, the girl chose some flowers, white as clouds, and handed them to the other girl. With a big smile, she said goodbye and left singing, heading for her humble home.

A few minutes later, the rich girl returned to her home, drenched from head to toe. Her parents, very concerned about the girl's absence, sighed with relief and ran to hug her.

- My daughter! Where have you been? What happened? You are all wet! We were so worried! - said her mother, warming her up with a towel.

Facing the loving faces of her parents, a light went on in the girl's heart. She looked at the water-splashed flowers, small pearls and diamonds she had receive, and held them out with both hands.

- I went to get a gift for you! - In her parents' arms, the girl realized how great her love for them was, how comfortable her home was, how wonderful her life was.

Since that day, the rich girl has ceased to be sad. She woke up and saw the beauty of the sun, the light of the smiles around her, the delicacy of the flowers. She donated all her excess clothes. She visited needy homes and took her old toys to the children. And when she walked the streets, with a big smile she used to sing like this:

When the rain falls,

I'm so happy

The clouds visit me,

The land becomes flower,

In the hardworking heart

The flower of love is born.

Text by Lívia Seneda

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com