Twelve year-old
Martha had a
very difficult
temper. She was
always
complaining
about everything
and only saw the
worst in
everyone.
At home, she
complained about
the food, her
wrinkled
clothes, her
siblings,
basically
everything.
And not content
in criticizing
everyone, Martha
still believed
that candidness
was a virtue.
So, she would
say anything she
that came to her
mind to people,
hurt who it may.
Thus, her
relationship
with her family,
schoolmates,
neighbours and
even strangers
was unpleasant.
Even in times of
celebration,
when a feeling
of joy and
relaxation
should
predominate,
there was
troubled by her
comments. She
criticized the
decor, food,
costumes and
everything else.
Gosh! It was a
relief for
everyone when
she was not
around!
So people tried
to stay away
from her,
fearing her
venomous tongue.
Only her family
could bear her
for they had no
choice. And when
her parents
warned her of
her frank
rudeness,
telling of the
hurt it caused
people, she
retorted:
- How so? I
speak the truth!
Isn't that what
you, my parents,
taught me?
- My daughter,
the truth is not
to be used as a
whip, hurting
people!
Especially since
none of us is
perfect! - her
mother would
say.
- Dear, first of
all, we should
put ourselves in
the other
person's place.
Would you like
them to act like
that with you?
We must use
fraternity in
our
relationships -
said the father.
Martha, however,
could never be
convinced with
her parents'
advice. After
all, she had
learned that the
truth must be
told at all
times.
Over the months,
Martha realized
that no one
called her
anymore.
Whenever she
missed her
friends and
phoned them,
they would just
give an excuse
not to meet with
her.
So, Martha
decided to go to
the neighbours'
house. However,
when they saw it
was her, they
chatted with her
for a little bit
and then
claiming to have
chores to do,
they told her
she had to
leave. At
school, the
girls kept the
same distance
and thus in the
playground, she
was always
alone.
One day, Martha
left school
feeling very sad
and was not in
the mood to go
home. Passing
through a small
square, she sat
down on a bench,
thoughtful.
Soon, an elderly
lady sat next to
her.
 |
- Excuse me, but
you look so sad!
Would you like
to talk a
little? After
all, I have
children and
grandchildren
and I think I
have some
experience on
life.
Martha was
really very sad
and seeing that
lady who wanted
to talk to her
when nobody else
did, she decided
to vent it all
out:
- I do not know
what is
happening to me!
No one
|
|
wants my
friendship.
Not even
at home
they
like me! |
- Well, my dear,
nothing happens
without a
reason. So, tell
me what is
happening. Maybe
I can help you.
Everyone calls
me Grandma
Bridget.
Martha started
talking about
her family,
friends and
neighbours that
did not want her
company anymore
and ended by
saying:
- I've always
been very frank
with everyone
and people can't
stand hearing
the truth! Must
I lie to get
their
friendship? ...
The lady thought
for a moment,
then, looking at
Martha, showed
her their
surroundings:
- Look what a
beautiful
garden, Martha!
All those
flowers! Do you
like plants?
- I do, Grandma
Bridget. My
mother has a
lovely garden.
- Ah! ...
Martha, have you
ever seen your
mother pour
boiling water on
the plants?
The girl was
startled and
said forthwith:
- No! Never! My
mother would
never do that,
Grandma Bridget!
Her seedlings
would die! ...
The lady looked
at her with
affection and
agreed:
- That's right,
dear. She would
not. And do you
know why?
- I do. Because
my mom loves her
garden.
|
 |
|
At that moment,
a bird came
flying and
landed on the
lady's palm who,
seizing the
opportunity,
asked: |
- Exactly! But
maybe she does
it to a bird or
pet?
- No! Never! We
have a dog that
is treated very
well! If my
mother threw
boiling water on
it, the poor
thing would get
burnt all over!
... - said the
girl, horrified.
The old lady
looked at Martha
with great
kindness and
concluded:
- Exactly. You
know, my dear,
when we love
people, just as
well as plants,
birds and
animals, we do
not throw
boiling water on
them. Because we
want to preserve
them. We want to
see them well,
happy, healthy
and beautiful!
At that moment,
Martha
understood what
the lady meant.
She had been
throwing boiling
water on people
and burning
them, doing away
with the feeling
of friendship
they had for
her! ...
As it was late,
the girl thanked
the lady, saying
goodbye and
leaving her
address:
- Grandma
Bridget, you
really helped me
today. I hope
you can come
visit us. I
would like you
to meet my
parents.
- I will,
Martha! And when
you want to see
me, I live there
in that house,
the one in front
of this square.
You know, my
dear, as I do
not have much to
do, I watch this
square and
occasionally see
someone here. As
I like to talk,
I walk across
the street and I
come here
because there is
often someone
who needs help.
Martha
understood.
Grandma Bridget
had come because
she had seen her
crying alone.
- God bless you!
Thanks for
everything.
Starting today,
I promise you I
will not throw
boiling water on
people anymore.
MEIMEI
(Psychographed
by Celia X. de
Camargo on
02.13.2012.)
