|
When Livy got
home on that day,
she was feeling
quite sad. She
was coming back
from school....
She learned we
have to practice
goodness at the
time she prayed
with her family
at home. Since
then, whenever
possible Livy
would try to be
useful to
someone.
Sometimes she
would offer to
carry a lady’s
groceries. At
other times she
offered to help
a blind person
cross the street.
When a child
fall down, she
would go and
help that person.
If she saw
someone feeling
sad, she would
talk to that
child. If a
colleague
struggled to
learn a lesson,
she would help
them learn about
it. Everyone
loved her for
her qualities
and good-will.
 |
One day, Livy
saw a small dog
walking past the
street that then
fell at a
rubbish bin. She
decided to help
the dog. The
dog’s owner was
passing nearby
and saw what
just happened.
She didn’t like
Livy’s attitude....
— But why? —
Livy questioned.
— He could have
got injured.
|
|
— He should have
learned his
lesson! Maybe
next time he
would not go
where he
shouldn’t be
going! Don’t
even think I am
going to be
thankful to you.
The lady then
grabbed her dog
and left. Livy
felt quite sad
with the woman’s
attitude. It was
the first time
someone didn’t
enjoy the way
she acted.
— What happened
dear? — her mom
asked.
|
 |
— Nothing, mom.
 |
Livy didn’t want
to talk about it
but couldn’t
forget what just
happened. She
was so sad by
the time she was
going to bed her
mom decided to
insist up until
Livy told her
what happened.
— One girl got
angry with me,
mom! — she said
in tears.
Her mom hugged
her and asked:
— Tell me what
happened, der.
It’s good to
share so the
|
|
pain
gets
lessen.
I might
even be
able to
help you? |
Livy then told
her what just
happened:
— So this is
what happened
today.
— Is that it?
Where is the
problem?
— The problem
mom is that I
have done
everything I
could to help
and she was rude
to me! I am
seriously
thinking to not
help anyone
anymore!
Her mom hugged
her and said:
— Livy, if this
person didn’t
show you
gratitude, it’s
her problem not
yours! Did you
only help the
dog to get his
owner’s
gratitude?
— Of course not,
mom!
— You did what
you thought you
should have done,
right?
— Yes, that’s
right.
— Did you expect
gratitude from
people every
time you helped
them?
— No!...
— You have done
the best you
could to help.
If this person
didn’t
appreciate what
you did, it’s
her problem not
yours! When we
practice
goodness, we
can’t expect
recognition from
others.
Otherwise, this
would reflect
our pride and
selfishness; as
if we just
wanted to be
seen to be
practicing
goodness. Did
you get it? It’s
as if we said:
Look, I am such
a good girl!
— I got it, mom.
You are right. I
will leave home
tomorrow and do
everything I
normally do
because it makes
me feel good. I
really enjoy
helping my
fellow creature.
Her mom gave
Livy a hug, who
then prayed and
went to sleep
calmly. She
learned a big
lesson on that
day which helped
her throughout
her life.
Meimei
(Message
received by
Célia Xavier de
Camargo, in 9th
August 2010.)
|
