Theme: Selfishness

The selfish alligator

Once upon a time there was a very beautiful lagoon, with plenty of clean water, where a small alligator lived. He liked the lagoon so much that he wanted it just for himself.

The lagoon was always sought by other animals that wanted to cool off or quench their thirst, but the alligator was always rude to everyone. The animals even avoided going there so as not to have to meet the alligator and hear his yells.

One day, however, the ducklings needed to bathe and there was no more water in Mrs. Duck’s house. The ducklings were invited to the yellow chicks' party and they couldn´t go as dirty as they were. As there was no other solution, Mrs. Duck sent her babies to the lagoon. And there they went, all happy with their small steps. But, oh, what a sadness... There was the all-valiant alligator in the lagoon, screaming:

- What did you come here to do, you rascals?

- We came to bathe - answered the Ducklings.

- Is this the lagoon you want to bathe in? Not here, your cheeky ones! - the little alligator said angrily.

- It's just that there is no water at home today and we are so dirty…

- Well, stay dirty! What ducks need to be cleaned for?

- Today we are going to the yellow chicks' party and…

- No and no - said the alligator - This lagoon is mine and nobody can enter.

And the alligator screamed so much, he got so angry, that the Ducklings came back, running back home.

Mrs. Duck was outraged. Filling herself with courage, she went to see if, in good manners, she could talk to the little crocodile. And with all delicacy, she said:

- Please, Mr. Alligator, my puppies need to take a bath so badly.

- Let them bathe at home. Come on! Is it here a bathroom by any chance?

Without being discouraged, Mrs. Duck insisted:

- Mr. Alligator, my puppies are going to a beautiful party. Don't you want to go along?

- No, no and no! I prefer to be alone in my lagoon. I just want peace of mind.

- But, Mr. Alligator, I...

- Don't talk to me anymore and go away! I have said "no" many times. This lagoon is very beautiful for washing dirty ducks.

Mrs. Duck was very upset, but she didn't want to make a fuss.

- Okay, you selfish little crocodile. But listen: don't forget that what we do for others return back to us one day - and so saying, she left, very sad.

Mrs. Duck ended up asking a friend for help, who kindly let the ducklings bathe in her house.

The little crocodile then settled into the lagoon. The sun was hot, and the water was hot. The sun, high above, shone brightly. It heated the lagoon´s water, which evaporated. It turns out, then, that they were in the drought period. Day after day the sun shone, the water evaporated, and the rain did not come. It was the biggest drought in recent times. The plants withered and the lagoon dried, dried, until it was without a drop of water.

The little crocodile was lying on the mud in order to cool off a little.

He was getting all dirty, hot, thirsty and very sad too. The crocodile was already desperate, but he didn't know what to do. He had never been kind to anyone. He had never shared the lagoon water with others. How could he now ask someone for help?

He thought about what he had done and how he had treated Mrs. Duck.

- I wish I could wash in the lagoon - he said sadly.

He remembered the ducklings and that he hadn't let them bathe, he was very sorry.

Time passed and the situation got worse. Until a beautiful day, the long-awaited rain fell. The crocodile even cried of joy. The rainwater washed the mud off his body and the bad feelings in his heart. He was renewed, full of hope and joy.

The rain fell on other days too and little by little the lagoon became as it was before. But not the alligator. He was changed.

Happy with life, the alligator started to receive the visit of the ducklings to swim and have fun in the lagoon.

The alligator, who was no longer selfish, woke up every day inviting everyone to swim with him in the beautiful waters of the lagoon, which was called The Friendship Lagoon.

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com