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Ricardo arrived
from school,
threw his
backpack on a
chair and went
straight to the
kitchen where
his mother was
cooking lunch.
- Hi, Mom!
- Hello,
Richard! What
happened, son? –
She asked,
noticing that
something was
not right.
Sounding rather
annoyed, the boy
said:
- Nothing.
Everything is
fine.
- What is
bothering you?
- It's George,
Mom. I can not
stand his lies
anymore!
- Be patient
dear. Let life
teach George
that he
shouldn’t lie.
The truth always
comes out.
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- I know, Mom,
but I just
cannot stand so
many lies. Do
you know what
happenned today?
The teacher
asked the
students about
their families
and he said that
his father was a
very rich man,
that they live
in a beautiful
house and have a
brand new
stylish car. I
know that this
is not true. I
feel like
exposing him in
front of the
class.
Flora looked at
her angry eight
year old son and
said:
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- Lying is very
bad, but
certainly George
did not do that
on purpose. In
addition, he has
a good side too.
We all have
strengths and
weaknesses. He
should also have
a good side, as
everyone else.
Let's see: What
are his
qualities?
Richard thought
... thought ...
and answered:
— I don’t know.
I never paid
attention!
— That is the
problem son, you
only saw
George’s bad
side. Start
observing him
and you will
find some
qualities. After
doing this we
can discuss it
again, ok?
The boy agreed.
Next day,
recalling the
chat he had with
his mother, he
began to pay
attention to
George. At the
entrance, a
little boy was
in a hurry and
dropped all his
things on the
floor. George
ran towards him
and helped the
boy by picking
up his objects.
During the
break, a girl
fell and started
crying. Her
colleagues were
laughing at her.
George, however,
helped her and
asked gently:
- Are you hurt?
Come with me,
I'll take you
to the
ambulatory.
- I’m ok, it
won’t be
necessary.
Thanks, George.
The bell rang
and they went
back to the
classroom. After
the class was
over, Richard
was still
observing
George. A
colleague was
saying he had
problems with
mathematics,
George promptly
offered to
help.
- I will drop by
your house later
on and help you
with
mathematics. It
is easy, soon
you will
understand
everything.
Richard was
surprised. When
he arrived home,
his mother
asked:
- So, did you do
what I
suggested?
- Mom, you were
right! He is
gentle,
generous, kind,
helpful...
- Wow! Did you
see all these
qualities in one
day?
- Yeah. I
misjudged! I
admit I was
wrong.
He told his
mommy about
everything he
saw in school,
and ended by
saying:
- George’s lies
do not bother me
anymore.
- I believe it
son. His defect
became too small
compared to his
qualities. I
feel bad because
I know that one
day this will
make him
suffer.
A week later,
someone knocked
on the door
during the
class. It was a
simple man,
carrying a
small package.
He excused
himself and
entered the
room.
- Good morning,
teacher. I’m
George’s father.
I was late for
work but
realized that he
had forgotten
his lunch, so I
brought it. Here
it is.
George blushed
in shame and
tried to hide
himself, but it
did not work. He
had to get up in
order to grab
the package. The
man thanked the
teacher and
left. George had
no courage to
look around, he
felt humiliated
when realised
that everybody
was giggling.
Richard, feeling
bad for his
colleague, said
aloud:
I like your
father, George.
He was very nice
and showed that
he cares about
you. Although
late for work,
he came here to
bring your food.
Congratulations!
Because of
Richard’s
attitude, the
others changed
their behavior,
agreeing with
him.
Someone asked:
- What does your
father do?
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He is a
bricklayer.
Works for a big
construction
company - said
George, still
embarrassed, but
more relaxed.
- Bricklayer
?!... Does he
help to build
houses and those
huge buildings?
- Asked one
girl.
- Oh yes. My
father often
works on the top
of buildings.
And he is not
afraid!
- Wow! He must
be very brave!
He is so important! - Said another boy
- you
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know
teacher,
the
other
day I
saw on
TV that
a
building
has
collapsed
and many
people
died,
some
others
lost
everything
they
had. We
must
trust
the
people
who
build
them! |
- That's right.
Everyone has to
take
responsibility
on what they are
doing. Both
engineers and
the construction
workers.
The conversation
was open and
pleasant. While
others talked,
George looked at
Richard with
gratitude
George
approached
Richard at the
end of the
class.
Thanks, buddy.
You saved me
from a difficult
situation. But I
learned a lesson
today. I will
never lie again.
It’s not worth
it. Also, you
made me realize
something
important.
- What?
- That I should
be proud of my
father.
- That's it!
Friends?
- Friends!
- Would you like
to join us for
lunch today? I
would like to
introduce you to
my mother. She
will be pleased
to meet you.
- Really? Why?
- Because now I
have a great
deal of respect
for you.
Both hugged each
other as true
friends.
Aunt Celia
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