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Danielle, an 8
year-old girl,
really wanted to
help people.
She had learned
that all humans
are brothers AND
SISTERS,
children of the
same Father,
God, and
therefore wanted
to spread good
things wherever
she went.
One day she ran
into Celeste, a
neighbour with
whom she always
played. They
were friends and
she was
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surprised to see
the girl sad and
teary eyed.
- Why are you
crying, Celeste?
- she asked,
worried.
And her friend,
wiping her eyes,
said:
- My father lost
his job and my
mother is
distraught,
Danielle. I do
not know what
will become of
us. Everything
is difficult at
home. We have
nothing, not
even to eat!
Danielle heard
her and also
felt sad, but
responded:
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- Celeste, do
not worry. Jesus
will help you.
- I know,
Danielle. But to
help us, Jesus
needs people!
Danielle heard
those words and
was silent,
wondering what
to do. Suddenly
a brilliant idea
popped in her
head. She
decided what to
do.
She bade
farewell to her
friend and went
from house to
house,
explaining the
situation and
asking for help
for Celeste's
family. Right at
the first house,
the man who
opened the door
listened to her
with a smile and
said:
- I can not.
Besides, if he
lost his job, it
is because he
has done
something wrong.
I think it is
better not to
interfere,
Danielle.
- I have no
money! In fact,
even if I had, I
would not give
any. These
people are lazy!
- said a lady in
another house .
In the third
house, the girl
heard the woman
who answered the
door:
- Me?!... Giving
money to the
unemployed? No
way! And who
will help me?
Disheartened,
the girl sat on
the curb and put
her head in her
hands. What to
do?
Her mother, who
thought the
disappearance of
their daughter
was strange,
came to the gate
and seeing her
discouraged,
wondered why.
Danielle told
her what had
happened, and
ended by saying:
- And now, Mom,
I do not know
what to do! ...
The lady sat
down on the curb,
embraced her
kindly, then
considered:
- You are
absolutely right,
my dear. We must
help people in
need. But if you
think like that,
you are the one
who should to
help them! Do
your part! And
you can count on
me and your
father. But each
one is
responsible for
their own life
and we can not
force anyone to
do what they do
not want to do.
Got it?
- Got it, Mom.
So if no one
wants to chip
in, I'll see how
I can help!
Danielle went to
Celeste's home.
From across the
street, she saw
several
neighbours
talking in a
circle. She
passed them and
went on her way.
Arriving at her
friend's house,
she let herself
in and found
Celeste's mother
worried, not
knowing what to
do.
- Can I help you,
Dona Alice?
(1)
- Oh! Danielle,
I need to buy
vegetables for
my baby's soup,
but I have no
one to look
after him,
because Celeste
is doing the
baby's laundry,
which is also
urgent.
- You can go now,
dona Alice, I
will take care
of him -
Danielle said,
reassuring her.
The woman
thanked her and
left, returning
quickly. She
prepared the
baby's soup, but
they had nothing
for lunch nor
money to buy
anything.
Immediately,
Danielle went to
her house, spoke
with her mother
and brought some
much needed food,
being greeted
with a grateful
hug by dona
Alice.
While the lady,
now more lively,
prepared lunch,
wanting to be
helpful Danielle
swept the garden.
Annoyed, the
neighbours came
scowling,
wondering:
- Why are you
doing that,
Danielle?
The girl raised
her head and
said firmly:
- This family is
in need of help
and I
collaborate as I
can. Each one
gives of what
they have!
Before the
example of the
girl, the
neighbours hung
their heads in
shame. Right
then, one of
them considered:
- Well, from
what you have
told me, Oliver
is unemployed. I
think I can get
him a place in
my company. As
soon as he
arrives, I'll
talk to him!
Danielle smiled
broadly:
- Thank you! He
will be very
happy and his
family too! ...
Soon, other
people wanted to
help and, happy,
the girl told
the news to her
mother, who also
smiling
considered:
- All this is a
result of your
efforts, my dear.
Have you noticed
how your example
made people
change their
attitudes?
Congratulations!
Jesus must be
thankful and
happy with you!
MEIMEI
(Psychographed
by Celia X.
Camargo on
January 2,
2012.)
(1)
In Brazilian
society, Dona is
a term of
respect that is
used with the
woman's first
name.