A mother was
walking in the
street with her
son while he
complained about
everything. All
his chores
weighed on him
and he would
like to have
nothing to do.
Being lazy, he
was only
interested in
games and
entertainment
which was when
he was always
happy, smiling
and ready.
Concerned about
the child's
attitude and
wanting to help
him, the mother
walked
thoughtfully
until they came
to a square and
she had an idea.
She asked the
boy to observe a
statue that
represented the
city's founder
and asked:
 |
- Philip, what
do you think the
metal felt like
when it was
taken to the
fire to be
moulded by the
artist? If it
were you, how
would you feel?
- Oh, I would
scream and cry a
lot. Imagine the
fire burning and
melting me?
- However,
seeing this
beautiful statue
we admire the
talent of the
artist who
sculpted it.
Walking a little
further, in a
bush, the boy
saw an ugly
caterpillar that
crawled with
difficulty.
- Look, Mom!
What a horrible
creature! I'll
kill it! - and
picking up a
stone from the
ground,
|
|
he
raised
his arm
toward
the
caterpillar. |
The mother
stopped him,
explaining:
|
- Do not do it,
dear! It is a
creature of
nature doing its
job, Philip. The
caterpillar
struggles but
modifies itself
to fulfill its
task. It leaves
its deformed
body and turns
into a beautiful
butterfly, as
the one which
now flies in the
sky!
The boy was
surprised and
amazed.
|
 |
- Is it true,
mom? That
horrible
caterpillar will
become a
butterfly one
day?
- Yes, Philip.
We all have our
mission. Look at
that masterpiece
over there!
 |
And the mother
showed her son,
somewhere else
in the same
square, a great
marble open book
on a pedestal,
and explained:
- The artist,
with this work,
wished to honour
the Bible. How
do you think the
marble felt like
when it was
chipped away by
the chisel, the
steel tool the
craftsman uses
to work the
marble and shape
it?
- Ah! If it were
me, I would not
let him strike
me! - replied
the boy.
|
- Well, then it
would not become
this beautiful
work of art that
is admired by
all.
They had crossed
the square so
they went home.
Upon arriving,
the mother took
Philip into the
garden and
picking up a
seed she dug a
small hole in
the ground and
placed it there,
covering it with
dirt.
- And what do
you think of
this seed I
planted, dear?
How would you
feel if you were
it?
The boy
immediately
imagined himself
in the dark and
covered with
moist dirt.
- Oh, mom! I
would not accept
being a seed and
being buried.
Not a chance!
The mother
smiled, showed
him a big tree
covered with
beautiful lilac
flowers and
said:
- Well, my son,
you would lose
the opportunity
to be as this
beautiful tree!
And you wouldn't
have the
pleasure of
listening to the
people that are
enchanted by its
beauty
congratulate the
beautiful
flowers that
cover it.
Philip was
thoughtful for a
moment. His
mother hugged
him and
explained:
- Son, in life
we all have a
task to
accomplish. Each
will serve in
the area that
was called,
spreading good
everywhere.
Minerals,
plants, animals
and humans have
different
functions but
all are
important.
- But ... what
about bugs?
- Insects are
very useful.
They destroy the
pests that
attack crops. In
nature,
everything is
important, dear,
because
everything is
God's work.
The boy was
thoughtful. The
mother completed
her thought:
- Therefore, we
should always do
our part by
putting effort
and devotion.
God will
recognize the
merits of each
one of us.
- Okay, mom.
That means I
should do my
chores at home
and at school...
- said the boy
showing he
understood.
- Exactly,
Philip. Educate
yourself, learn,
grow, all that
which only you
can do for
yourself. And in
your spare time
play and have
fun which is
also important!
But everything
has a right
time.
The boy hugged
his mother with
immense
affection.
Philip was
certain that,
from that day
on, he would not
complain
anymore.
MEIMEI
(Psychographed
by Celia X. de
Camargo on
18/02/13.)
