The dispute
        
 

Long ago, in a certain region of the country, there were two neighbouring families, the Bastos and the Gomes, who were fighting among themselves.

The dispute was started because of a land border issue and, as each side believed to be right, they could not reach an agreement. The years passed, family members were replaced by new ones, the process grew and the solution to the problem would not arrive.

Thus, over time, the enmity only increased. If someone of the two families were to meet another by accident, soon they would start a fight and both sides would end up with injuries. For that reason, they would not approach the border between the properties, which was cut through by a forest.

One day, Joel, a boy of the Gomes' family, decided to go for a walk through the woods of the farm, and entertained by the plants and animals that he could see at every step and the birds that sang from the heights, he went deeper than he intended in the woods.

Suddenly. Joel heard screams of pain. Distressed, he walked around following the voice and saw a beautiful girl around his age. Lying on the ground, she was crying and he came to her aid.

- Are you hurt?

- I was bitten by a snake! Help me! I do not want to die! … - the girl said with watery eyes.

By the girl's description of the snake, it was poisonous. Joel, who had always been interested in learning things, knew how to act in such a case. So, he quickly tore off a piece of his shirt and made a tourniquet for her leg, to prevent the poison spreading through her body.

He then asked where she lived, which she complied. Joel, who was bigger and stronger than the girl, held her in his arms and carried her up to her home with difficulty.

Arriving at the property's headquarters, Joel saw a lot of movement. Nervous gunmen were getting ready to mount their horses. One of them, seeing the boy coming up with the girl in his arms, told the others:

- Look! Our Isabel is back! ...

Their faces showed relief and joy at seeing little Isabel again, who they believed was lost forever. A woman and a man with stern faces approached.

- What happened, my daughter?

- Daddy, I was bitten by a snake! Joel found me, took care of me and brought me back home.

Stricken, the father immediately took her off Joel's arms and brought her inside. The mother, in tears, hugged her, happy and relieved to have her dear child back.

Just in time. The boy was exhausted by the journey he had made with the girl in his arms. He fell to the ground and sat there recovering his forces. Suddenly, someone remembered about him and went back, inviting him inside.

After the necessary measures, Isabel's father approached Joel, moved:

- Thank you, young man, for having helped my daughter. Thanks to you, she is out of danger. But, how did you find her? Where do you live?

- I live near here, sir. I am a Gomes - he explained calmly.

Upon hearing that name, the expressions on their faces changed. Several threatening looks were fixed on Joel, with hate. Before they approached, the father contained his children with a signal. Then he asked:

- You know where you are, boy? No? This is the property of the Bastos'! Have you no sense of danger? How dare you come here?

- Sir, when I saw your daughter lying on the ground, all I thought was someone was in danger and that I needed help. I did not care whose daughter she was.

- Even if you knew that she was part of the family that is your enemy?

- Even so, sir. For me it made no difference. I never saw much reason for all this hate, which I can only lament. I believe that nothing in the world justifies that people are kept apart by misunderstandings when it is very simple and easy to talk and reach out, trying to understand each other.

Admiring the boy's courage and sincerity who, although being in enemy territory, showed serenity, unconcerned of the families dispute, the head of the house went silent.

As it was already late, and going through the woods at night presented dangers, the head of the family took Joel back home. When they arrived, Mr. Bastos was keen to enter their home. Seeing him, the hosts were surprised. Mr. Bastos said, explaining to the head of the Gomes' family:

- Certainly, you find strange my presence in this house, which has always been considered enemy territory. However, thanks to your son Joel, who saved my daughter Isabel, and made us reflect on his words, I ask you to have a meeting to talk and resolve our differences.

Perplexed, Joel's parents and brothers listened quietly. Mr. Gomes, taking a deep breath, pointed to a chair, inviting him to sit.

- Tell us more, please. We were worried, not knowing where our son Joel was since early afternoon.

So, Mr. Bastos told them how Joel had found and rescued Isabella, who had been bitten by a snake, taking all necessary steps at that moment and taking her home in his arms. As he finished, Mr. Bastos had his eyes moist with emotion, and concluded:

- If a member of your family, Mr. Gomes, was capable of such an act of generosity and courage to save an unknown girl, it is a sign that there are ways to resolve our dispute. To begin with, I will give up the strip of land that we were demanding.

Mr. Gomes, surprised, looked at his visitor and said:

- Mr. Bastos, the truth is that we never had much interest in that strip of land that has been the subject of a long and endless process. As this dispute began long ago, what we did was just to follow up to it! ...

Those men understood then, at that moment, that they had lost much time, effort and money to keep a process that was not in the interest of any of the two families. They both smiled and shook hands. Then, they embraced, happy and relieved to put an end to that fight.
Sometimes the solution to any problem, even the most difficult, is in the simplest things. All we need is to have sensitivity and willingness to perceive.

So, facing any issue, it is important to understand that hatred and resentment only complicate things, augmenting the problems for both sides. Thus, use all available resources, with peace and fraternity to resolve the impasse.
 

Meimei

(Psychographed by Celia X. de Camargo, on 29/08/2011.)