Theme: Charity and happiness

The train to Happiness

On the same street where Fabio lived, there also lived a very old and very friendly gentleman, affectionately called by all, Grandpa Milton.

He sat on a chair in front of his house and loved talking to the neighbors and telling stories to the children from his neighborhood.

One day he told Fabio and his friends this story:

– There is a little town, all flowery, with a very blue sky, full of sun and color, or else, with that delicious rain, which refreshes and brings life and after it the rainbow appears. In this city, birds live freely and sing all the time. People greet each other in the streets, saying “good morning” and “good afternoon”, always with smiles on their faces.

There is a lot of respect there. No one offends anyone. People say “excuse me” and “please”. A sincere “thank you” is said. Everybody works with satisfaction and is always willing to help.

At the end of the afternoon, the neighbors meet in the beautiful colorful gardens, in the very clean streets and squares or under the well-kept trees, to talk, sing and laugh a little. There are no lies, no falsehoods, no lack of courage, no fears, no violence, no aggression, and children are well cared for and can play everywhere.

The children, sitting around Grandpa Milton, were imagining the city he was narrating, when he asked:

– Children, this city is called Happiness. Do you know where it is?

The kids said no, but the curious kids continued to pay attention to Grandpa Milton's words:

– Well, to get to Happiness you have to take a train at a station called Heart.

The train is a steam locomotive that makes a noise when it arrives at its destination. It is big and heavy and has the name “Hope” embossed very large in gold letters. Hope has many wagons and arrives every day loaded with love, fraternity, faith and peace.

This train passes at Heart station at any time and at any minute, there are many opportunities to take it.

The driver is smart and doesn't leave anyone behind, he quickly sets the furnace on fire and puts the train to work. The ticket agent almost always asks without delay:

– Who goes to Happiness?

The kids remained attentive, captivated by Grandpa Milton's way of speaking.

Expecting Grandpa Milton to complete the imagination of the scene that had formed in his mind, Fabio asked:

– Do you have to pay to take this train, Grandpa Milton?

– Yes, you do, my son! - replied the good old man - The ticket for this train costs charity.

– Charity? But is there no other way? Doesn't it accept cash? - insisted Fabio.

- I'm sorry, boy, but without charity there is no salvation! On this train that goes to Happiness, no one boards with money only!

– But then, it is difficult to take this train! Whoever does not have charity, does not know how to do it, or cannot do it, does not reach Happiness.

- No, it is not! Everyone can get on board it because everyone can do some kind of charity. All you have to do is pay attention and have good will. You will learn to ride this train, children. You are smart and good kids! – said Grandpa Milton, smiling and ending the little story he had created to talk to the children about how to achieve happiness.

The children got up to embrace the kind gentleman who loved them so much. They thanked him and left for the field to play football. Soon they were distracted by other conversations, but they took with them that important lesson from someone who had already lived a long time and knew about the important things in life: Without charity there is no salvation.

(Adaptation of the story A Pequena Felicidade)

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com