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Donna was
overloaded with
work and did not
know what to do.
She needed to
hand in some
research and, as
she was late to
finish the job,
the boss gave
her a deadline:
the end of the
day. The next
morning, without
fail, he wanted
the work at his
desk. And she
did not know
what to do,
because, alone,
she would not be
able to finish
it all.
Her twelve year
old son Luke,
seeing his
mother very
worried, asked
her what was
happening, and
she explained
the problem.
Grieved at
learning of the
situation, he
offered to help.
- No, my son.
The job is mine
and I have to do
it. Whatever it
takes. |
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- Mom, you
always help me!
Why can't I
contribute in
some way? Is it
hard work?
- No, son. It's
paperwork that
needs to be put
in order. The
job is simple,
but it will take
a long time.
Even if you help
me, only the two
of us would not
finish in time.
The boy thought
for a bit and
found a way out:
- Mom, I got an
idea! I'll call
my friends. This
afternoon we
will not have
school and they
can help us!
The mother
agreed with the
suggestion
happily. Soon,
three boys were
rounded up and
excited to start
working. Donna
explained what
they should do
and promised to
each of them a
small sum and a
nice snack at
the end. Since
the boys did not
want to receive
the money, she
said:
- I insist! It
is not for your
work, but to
thank you for
the help you are
giving me. Okay?
So let's get to
work!
Donna explained
to them in
detail what they
should do and,
settling at a
table, they
began to work.
Some time later,
two other boys
arrived and were
invited to
participate,
accepting with
pleasure. Later,
another one of
Luke's friends
appeared, and
also joined the
group.
With so many
helpers, Donna
had the service
done on time.
The next day,
she would
deliver it to
the office.
Then, before
serving the
snack, she
decided to give
her assistants
the amount
promised. Donna
gave everyone
the same pay.
She noted,
however, that
the first two
boys did not
like it. Seeing
them frowning,
discontented,
she asked them
what was
happening. As
she insisted,
one ended up
venting:
- It's not fair,
Madam, that you
give this boy
who arrived last
the same as us
who were here
during the
entire afternoon
working! ...
But the owner of
the house, not
bothered,
explained:
- But did you
not get what we
agreed? Have I
deceived you in
any way?
- No - replied
the two
complainants.
- So there you
go! And still I
am deeply
grateful to you
for the help you
gave me. But if
the money is
mine, and I want
to give this
last boy as much
as I gave you,
what's the
problem? I think
he worked very
well and fast,
despite the late
arrival. Can't I
do this?
- Yes, but ...
Donna, thought
for a while, and
added saying:
- Whenever I do
not know how to
act when I am in
doubt, I look
for the solution
in the Gospel.
Thus, I only
followed the
example that
Jesus gives us
in the parable
of the Workers'
of the Last
Hour, trying to
be fair!
Both boys
lowered their
heads realizing
that Donna was
right. Actually,
they knew that
during that
afternoon, they
had played
enough, losing
precious time.
- Sorry! - they
said sorrowful.
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Donna embraced
them, full of
affection, and
then asked:
- Come to the
porch, where a
snack is served,
including a
delicious
chocolate cake!
Happy, the boys
rushed outside,
having already
forgotten about
the little
incident. They
ate and talked
abundantly for
the rest of the
afternoon,
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also
happy
for the
opportunity
to be
useful. |
Donna still had
plenty to do to
get all the
paperwork
organized, but
thanks to the
help from her
son Luke and his
friends, the
next morning she
would be able to
deliver the job
on time.
Meimei
(Psychographed
by Celia de
Camargo on April
18, 2011.)
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