That morning, Augusto had nothing to do so he went out looking for a friend who wanted to play. However, the street was deserted. He got disappointed.

Having nothing to do, he looked at an empty lot next of his house that was surrounded by a high wall but whose gate was ajar. Augusto had never entered that site. In the opening, he could see trees and some bushes that grew wildly.

Being curious, he decided to enter. His little heart was pounding: Tum! Tum! Tum!

He went through the gate then remembered the words his mother said one day:

- Augusto, stay away of that lot! There might be even poisonous snakes there!

But the sun was hot and under a tree the shade was nice. He walked a little further using his hand to push away the bushes that were in his way.

He felt like he was in an adventure, as the characters of the movies he watched.

Suddenly he heard a noise followed by a groan. He stayed alert.

Carefully and quietly, he walked a little further. And, hidden in the woods leaning against a tree, he saw a dirty ragged man with his left leg covered in blood.   The boy approached but the man shrank back against the tree trunk, scared. Seeing Augusto, he breathed out, relieved.   - Ah! It's a boy! What are you doing here, boy?

- You're hurt! You need dressings! I'll call my mother. She is good at it!

- No! ... I do not want anyone to see me! - the man refused, afraid.

- Okay.

Augusto sat on the ground near the man and they began to talk. Thus, he learned that the man's name was Benedict and that he was wounded while trying to steal food from a supermarket. The stranger continued:

- I've been unemployed for months and my family is hungry. I have never stolen anything, but that day I was desperate and decided to get food by any means necessary!

- You must be hungry, huh? Wait here! I'm going home and getting you something to eat. I live right next door and I will come back in an instant. I promise I will not tell anyone you're here.   Augusto left, returning shortly with a sandwich and a cup of coffee. Wide-eyed, Benedict grabbed the food the boy brought and ate it quickly.   - Thank you, Augusto. I was really hungry!

- But Benedict, there is another problem: you are injured and need a bandage! My dad is a pharmacist and will soon arrive home for lunch. Can I bring him here? I promise you he will not tell anything to anyone!

As his pain was great, the wounded man agreed. Augusto told his father what was happening and took him along with the first aid box to the lot.

Victor, the boy's father, examined the wound and saw that the bullet had just grazed him. He made the dressing in silence and, when finished, chatted a bit with the wounded man.

Benedict told him how it had happened, the predicament of his starving family and concluded:

- Only those who see their children and wife without having anything to eat know what I felt at that moment, sir. It's very painful!

- I understand, Benedict - Victor muttered, putting himself in the man's shoes. - What did you do before?

- I was employed in a furniture factory. But I will do anything: I have worked as a mason, a plumber and a gardener. I do not choose work! I will accept anything, sir!

Seeing that Benedict was a good man, Victor said:

- At the moment, I need someone to clean my garden. Then I'll see with some friends the opportunity to get you a job. Do you accept it?

- Of course I do! Thank you! It was God who sent you, Mr. Victor!

Thus, Benedict left his hiding place and went to the house next door, where Augusto's mother gave him lunch and food to take to the family. As he took his leave, Victor ordered:

- Benedict, early tomorrow I expect you to clear our garden.

The next day when Augusto woke up to go to school Benedict had already arrived.   As Victor sat down for breakfast, he learned with satisfaction that Benedict was already working outside. He gladly smiled at everyone, considering:   - It is worth it trusting people! Today I will see if I can find him a job.   Thus, Augusto and his father went to visit
Benedict's home, and were enchanted with his family.

The next day, Victor told him:

- Benedict, I got you a job in a furniture factory, as you like.

Benedict's gratitude was immense! He embraced Victor with joy, happy to return to work to earn their livelihood.

The friendship between the two families increased with time. Benedict always prayed to Jesus thanking the opportunity to have met Victor and his family, who had helped him in a time of such difficulty.

And Victor, happily, would always raise his thought to God, thankful for the blessing of meeting his friend Benedict and his family, as they had gotten so connected.

And little Augusto, like his father, now often repeated:

- It is worth it trusting people! ...
 

                                                                  MEIMEI

(Psychographed by Celia Xavier de Camargo on 07/10/2013.)