Theme: Controlling fear
The fear
It was Sunday. Rodrigo was at home. But instead of
resting or having fun, the boy was worried. From early
on, the sky was cloudy. The forecast was for heavy rains
throughout the day. And Rodrigo didn't feel good on days
like this. He felt insecurity and even sadness. He
couldn't wait for the rain to end.
When Rodrigo was little, on a day of very heavy rain,
when the family was not at home, Rex, their dog,
frightened by the thunder, jumped the gate and ran away.
When they arrived, they noticed the dog was missing. It
was still raining, windy and cold. That day Rodrigo went
to bed crying and thinking about Rex. Every lightning
bolt he saw through the window, or thunder he heard,
made his mind imagine terrible things that could be
happening to his little dog.
Rex was found after almost two days. He was hurt, but he
was taken care of and everything turned out well. Except
for Rodrigo who, even without remembering the details of
the event, he kept the impression of sadness associated
with the rain.
His mother Tania, knowing what was going on, trying to
help, called her son and said:
- Honey, I want you to go with me there to our neighbor
Angelica's house.
- It's raining, Mom! - Rodrigo said scared - You can't
leave.
- Yes, she lives near here, let's go!
Rodrigo didn't want to, but his mother insisted,
explaining to him that fear paralyzes us, prevents us
from doing good things and still makes us suffer. That's
why it's worth facing fear and trying to lessen its
power on us.
Rodrigo ended up accepting and the two walked hugging
each other under the umbrella. So, right next to his
mother, Rodrigo was not so afraid.
When they rang the doorbell at the neighbor's house, she
received them with a wide smile and said, hugging them:
- Hi, Tania! Hello Rodrigo! It’s good to see you! Come
in! Early in the morning I already felt that today would
be a great day and it is!
- I knew you would be happy, Angelica! I don't know
anyone who likes this rain as much as you do - Tania
said, smiling.
- That's right, my friend. I had been distressed for
days. Our cistern, where we collect rainwater, was
already almost dry. I'm afraid that the population lacks
water, for hygiene, to produce nourishment, to drink...
Have you ever thought about going thirsty or hungry? God
forbids! When such a good rain comes, I imagine God,
there in heaven, dropping these blessed drops of life
for us. There's no way not getting excited about it!
- Have you ever been thirsty, Angelica? - Tanya wanted
to know.
- Thank God, in this life, at least, no! - Angelica
replied smiling and raising her hands up - But I've seen
a lot of reports that show rivers drying up, animals
dying, people having to flee the drought and leave their
land... I don't know, most people don't think that can
happen, but I get scared. It's something that impresses
me a lot.
Angelica had barely finished speaking when Gabi and
Fatima came running through the front door. Gabi was the
daughter of Angelica and Fatima, her best friend.
The two girls greeted Tania and Rodrigo and the mother
asked Gabi:
- How was it, did you get Gabi?
And turning to Tania she explained:
- Gabi is very afraid of dogs. She doesn't like to play
at Fatima's house because she has a puppy, even though
he is small and nice.
- I know he's cute - said Gabi - but he still has teeth
and I get goose bumps just seeing that little mouth
opens with his tongue hanging out. But today it was
better, Mom. Fatima was holding him in her lap, and I
was sitting next to them for five minutes. I kept
focusing on the thoughts we had agreed that he just
wants affection and that he likes me. I also controlled
my breathing, and I did it!
- But after five minutes Gabi ran away and we had to
come back here! - said Fatima.
- Okay, but it's great, daughter! For those who didn't
even want to see the dog, this is a great victory. It
must go little by little. Now you can go and play!
The girls called Rodrigo to play cards with them. Tania
and Angelica talked a lot and made some cookies.
Rodrigo found the sweets delicious and asked Tania to
write down the recipe and make it for him every time it
rained. Rain was still falling outside and water was
running out the window. But Rodrigo spent a pleasant
afternoon, playing, talking, and laughing.
Tania and her son returned home, hugging again under the
umbrella. Rodrigo was feeling much better. He had
realized that the same rain that saddened him made
someone else happy. So, the problem was not the rain,
but what each one associates with it. He also realized
that it's normal to be scared. He loved dogs, but Gabi
was afraid of them.
She was trying to overcome fear by changing her thoughts
and feelings and that was what he was willing to do too.
After all, a rainy day like that didn't seem to be so
bad anymore.
Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com
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