At school, a
teacher needed
to do an
important work.
Some texts
should be turned
into a book and,
because it would
be dedicated to
the children,
she sought
students who
could draw to do
the
illustrations.
Thus, she
selected some
students and
gave them the
texts, paper and
a box of
coloured
pencils.
Following the
texts, they
should draw the
characters,
expressing their
ideas, feelings
and views of the
story through
their childlike
eyes. And their
drawings would
be transformed
into
illustrations.
Handing them the
materials, the
teacher
explained:
|
- You will have
all day to
complete the
job. At five
o'clock in the
afternoon, you
shall deliver to
me the texts
with the
drawings and I
will give you a
reward for your
effort.
The students
were elated!
They loved to
draw and that
was an excellent
opportunity to
show their
individual
talent.
Thus decided,
they began
working on the
task they were
given. At first
there were three
|
 |
|
students:
Gilbert,
James
and
Leila.
Later,
Fatima
and
Raphael
joined
as
well. |
Gilbert was the
leading
contender. He
could really
draw! Maybe
exactly because
of it, he did
belittled the
task and decided
to go play with
his friends,
leaving to
accomplish his
task later.
Jaime and Leila,
despite having
talent, spent
their time
talking and
laughing, and
when they
noticed it, time
had passed and
they ended up
doing the
drawings in a
hurry just
before at the
deadline.
Raphael and
Fatima read
their texts, but
as they were
insecure, they
were slow to
decide which
design to do and
therefore lost a
lot of time
erasing and
redoing their
work, which came
out sloppy.
At the last
minute, Richard,
a student from
another class,
passed by the
room where they
were assembled
and, curious,
asked the
teacher:
- What are these
students doing,
teacher?
She explained
it. Richard's
eyes sparkled
with enthusiasm
but soon he was
sad because he
also liked to
draw. The
teacher noticed
the boy's
expression and
asked:
- Would you like
to participate
too?
- Yes, I love to
draw, teacher!
She thought for
a moment, then
said:
- Well, there's
only an hour
till the
deadline. If you
would like to
try...
- I would, yes.
- Well then,
Richard. Here
are the texts,
paper and
coloured
pencils. You may
begin.
 |
Richard settled
in of the desks.
Not being able
to waste time,
he read the
story and then
began to draw
quickly.
When the time
was up, the
teacher
collected all
materials from
the students and
examined each of
the
illustrations
carefully. Then
she said:
|
|
- Very well. I
thank you for
the effort. Now,
here's what I
reserved for you
as a reward for
your work. |
|
And she handed
each one,
starting with
Richard, a
beautiful box of
chocolates
decorated with a
beautiful
coloured
ribbon.
Gilbert, looking
at it, got
jealous and
complained:
|
 |
|
- But teacher,
Richard worked
only during the
last
hour! Is
it fair
that he
gets as
much as
us who
stayed
here all
day?... |
The teacher
looked at
Gilbert and
replied:
- I agreed with
you the task to
be performed and
promised a
reward in the
end, did I not?
Well then!
Richard arrived
near the end of
the period, but
did the same job
that you spent
the whole day to
do.
Can't I give him
the reward he
deserves? You
are not being
harmed by it!
Indeed, you
could have
accomplished the
task requested
and returned
home but you
chose to stay
the whole day
and spend your
time with
nonsense!
The others
exchanged
glances between
them, then
turned to the
teacher,
surprised. And
she concluded:
- And I'll tell
you more. I have
not had enough
time to review
each of your
works but from
what I saw,
Richard's are
the best. Maybe
I'll use his
illustrations in
the book.
The students
bowed their
heads,
understanding
that their
teacher was
right. They
decided to pass
the time
available to
them talking,
joking, and
laughing, when
they could have
done a better
quality job in
less time.
Richard was
happy. He
thanked the
teacher and
returned home
with his
present.
Upon seeing her
son arriving
with the
beautiful
wrapping, the
mother asked who
had given it to
him and Richard
told her what
had happened.
- Oh, I see! -
exclaimed the
satisfied mother
- you, my son,
today were the
worker of the
last hour of
which Jesus
speaks!
- Really, mom?
- It is true,
dear. The Lord
is looking for
willing workers
for His service.
And you proved
today that you
are able to be
one of them: one
who does their
duty, using only
the time
necessary, and
does so with
responsibility
and love.
Richard became
serious and
thoughtful. Then
he said:
- You're right,
mom. I hope,
during my
lifetime, to be
a worker of the
last hour
helping Jesus to
improve the
world.
MEIMEI
(Psychographed
by Celia Xavier
de Camargo on
02.18.2013.)
