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Manuel was a
good and
compassionate
man. His job was
exercised with
love and
loyalty. He had
a son who, even
though was well
educated, kept
on being
impolite and
acted carelessly
towards others.
The caring
father tried to
raise him well,
saying that we
should always
love our
fellows, as
Jesus thought
us.
– What about the animals? – Tony asked,
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impatiently. |
– The animals
too, my son.
They are our
brothers, they
need our
consideration,
respect and
love, and we
also need them
in our everyday
life.
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As they were in
the country, his
dad paused and
explained,
pointing to an
animal that
helped with the
plough.
– See Gentil,
for example.
He is sweet and
calm, he has
always worked
hard in the
field, and over
the years we
have worked
together, I
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have never seen him rebellious. He has never harmed anyone!
– I agree on the
Gentil bit,
because he helps
you, dad. But
the others!... –
Tony replied. |
– The other
animals also
help, my son.
Each one has a
different task,
as important as
this one.
Mimosa, our cow,
gives us the
milk we drink
every morning;
the chickens
give us their
eggs and our dog
works
relentlessly,
taking care of
our home. So,
all deserve our
love and
gratitude.
But Tony was yet
to be convinced.
On the following
day, Manuel
invited Tony to
go shopping in
the city. Tony,
excited about
the ride, got on
the wagon,
happily.
As they arrived
in the city,
while his dad
entered in the
store to do
shopping, Tony
decided to look
at the people on
the street.
Time was passing
by and his
father was still
there. The boy
was getting
impatient.
He looked at
Gentil, who
remained quiet,
humble, without
showing
demonstrations
of being
impatient. He
wanted to see if
the animal had
any reaction at
all.
– I’m going for
a walk. Let’s
see if he is so
obedient.
Tony looked
around and saw a
piece of wood,
long and thin,
in a building.
He took it and,
at once, got on
the wagon and
ordered Gentil
to walk. The
animal didn’t
recognize his
owner’s voice
and did not
move.
Tony then
decided to hit
the wood on the
horse. The horse
was taken aback
by this act and
ended up making
Tony to fall
down.
As he heard the
screams on the
street, Manuel
rushed towards
his son.
As soon as he
realized what
had happened,
through some
passers-by
accounts, Manuel
got really
angry.
– But, dad, you
told me that
Gentil was calm
and he made me
fall! – The boy
said, surprised.
His dad, taking
the son to the
animal, told
him:
– And why do you
think he did
that? See what
you did to this
poor animal!
The horse was
bleeding. Tony
had not realized
that this was
the reason for
such a strong
reaction of the
animal.
Making use of
this
opportunity,
Manuel said:
– Gentil is as
tender as a
lamb. He just
defended himself
from an
aggression,
instinctively.
All of us, my
son, receive
according to
what we do. Had
you given him
love and
respect, you
would have been
treated
accordingly.
As you were mean,
he hit back. See?
Ashamed, Tony
nodded his head
and promised he
would keep this
lesson in mind
from that day
on.
Aunt Célia
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