This family
lived in an
elegant
residential
neighbourhood. The
house fitted the
needs of the
family because
the couple had
two children,
Albert, seven,
and Marina,
eight and they
all lived happy
and satisfied.
One day, Julia
received the
news that her
father was
ill. Concerned,
she talked with
the family and
decided to go to
the town where
they lived to be
learn more about
his health.
Arriving there
and seeing the
situation, she
made a decision:
 |
- You're coming
with me! I can't
leave you here
alone!
- Dear! We do
not want to
bother you! If
we go to your
home, we will
disturb the
family! We
should stay
right here! -
the father
protested.
- Father! You
will not bother
anyone! Furthermore,
you may stay as
long as you
want. When you
feel
|
better
and miss
your
home,
you can
come
back!
Thus decided,
they packed
their suitcases
and left early
the next
morning. |
When told,
Conrad and the
two children
were elated. So
when they
arrived, it was
all joy! They
exchanged hugs
and tender
kisses. Soon
Julia told the
children that
they would have
to cede the
larger room,
which was
James', for the
grandparents.
- And where will
I sleep, mama? -
the boy
complained.
- In Marina's
room! I'll fix
everything, son.
Plus, it is only
for a few days.
The children
were not
amused. James
because he had
lost his room,
and Marina
because she
would have to
share her room
with James, but
they
conformed. However,
the days passed
and everything
remained the
same.
The whole
routine of the
house had been
altered by the
presence of the
grandparents.
The children
started to get
angry,
dissatisfied
with the
situation.
Whenever they
complained,
their mother
promised to find
a solution, but
everything
remained the
same, and the
ambience was
getting worse.
 |
One day at dusk,
the children
were talking in
the garden and
did not realise
that their
grandparents
were sun bathing
on the
balcony. James
complained:
- I can't take
it anymore! I
don't have
enough space to
put my things.
Everything has
|
|
changed. Mom
sees
only the
needs of
her
parents!
For us,
nothing! |
- You are right,
James. I like
our
grandparents,
but every time I
want to watch a
cartoon, they
are watching
television! Mom
does not care
about us
anymore! - said
Marina.
Hearing this,
the grandparents
lowered their
heads,
upset. They
exchanged a look
and held each
other's
hand. They also
were not
satisfied with
the
situation! They
felt that they
were disrupting
the family's
life and did not
want that. They
fondly
remembered their
house. There,
they were free
to do whatever
they
wanted! That
night they
talked and
decided what to
do.
The next
morning, Julia
woke the
children up and
then went to her
parents' room,
to check on how
they had spent
the night. She
opened the door
and was
surprised: there
was nobody
there. The room
was all tidy up,
the bed in
order, but the
wardrobe was
empty!
Julia left the
room
crying. Conrad
was having
coffee, and the
children getting
ready for
school. Seeing
Julia crying, he
asked worried:
- What happened,
honey?
- My parents are
not in their
room or anywhere
else in this
house. They're
gone, Conrad! -
she answered,
distressed.
The husband
hugged his wife,
consoling
her. The kids
|
 |
|
arrived
and were
surprised
to see
their
mother
crying. The
father
explained
to the
children
what
their
mother
had
discovered. Then,
trying
to keep
everybody
calm, he
considered: |
- Maybe they
just woke up
early and went
for a stroll
around the
neighbourhood!
After all, there
is no reason why
they would go
home without
talking to us,
isn't it,
darling?
At this point,
James and Marina
exchanged a look
that was not
missed by their
father. The
children lowered
their heads,
feeling guilty
for what they
had said the
previous evening
and told:
- Dad! Yesterday
afternoon,
Marina and I
were in the
garden and I
think we said
things we should
not have
said. We like
Grandma and
Grandpa, but
this house
turned upside
down after they
came to live
here with us! No
one is happy!
...
Julia stopped
crying and
stared at the
children. Only
now she could
see their
problem and how
they were
feeling. On the
other hand,
maybe her
parents also
were not
satisfied with
the
situation. They
had always been
independent and
were now forced
to depend on
their son-in-law
and daughter.
- Maybe if we
had done things
differently! -
she muttered.
- But we can,
darling! If they
left, they must
be at the bus
station - Conrad
suggested.
Excited, the
whole family
went after the
couple. Upon
arrival they saw
the two sitting,
waiting for the
bus that would
take them back
home. Seeing the
family, the
father
apologized for
having left
without warning:
- We are
thankful for
your hospitality
and all you did
for us. However,
we miss our
house. We are
disrupting your
life and that's
not fair!
The kids hugged
their
grandparents
apologizing for
their
thoughtless
words, saying
that they wanted
them to return
to live with
them.
- See? Dad,
Mom! Let's go
back and
talk. Everything
can be solved -
pleaded Julia.
The couple
agreed to
return. They
talked, and
agreed to
Conrad's
suggestion:
- Our property
is big. I
propose we build
a house for you
in the backyard.
Thus, you will
have the care
you need and all
the privacy you
desire. Our
house will go
back to normal
and we will
always be in
touch with
you. What do you
think?
Everyone loved
the idea. Within
a few months,
the house was
ready and the
grandparents'
things
arrived. It was
with joy that
everyone helped
clean up the
house, leaving
everything the
way the
grandparents
liked. The kids
were delighted,
and Albert
exclaimed:
- See,
Grandma? When
there is love
everything is
solved! And now
we have another
house to visit!
MEIMEI
(Psychographed
by Celia X. de
Camargo on
23.04.2012.)
