Whenever he
passed by a
certain street
corner, Daniel
watched a boy,
who should be no
more than ten
years of age
selling candy to
the passing
drivers.
 |
Daniel's father
would see the
boy approaching
the car, open
the window, and
when the boy
offered him a
packet of mints,
give him a coin,
take the candy
and say thanks.
Daniel, who
would constantly
find his
father’s
attitude
strange, one day
said angrily:
- Dad! My teacher said
that we should
not help these
kids
|
|
who are
in the
streets.
They
should
be in
school
and not
selling
stuff on
street
corners! |
His father
thought for a
moment and
replied:
- Son, your
teacher is
right. However,
it is necessary
to learn the
reasons why a
child does this,
because they are
working.
- Well, maybe
this boy does
not like to
study! Perhaps
it is more
lucrative to
sell to candy to
drivers! ...
His father
smiled sadly and
replied:
- Son, you
should not judge
without knowing
his reasons for
doing so. Maybe
another day?
Unfortunately,
today we can’t
go talk to him
or you'll miss
your lesson.
Hurriedly, his
father entered a
small street,
that served as a
short cut and
Daniel arrived
at school on
time. He said
goodbye to his
father and
entered school.
But he could not
forget that boy.
Daniel did not
have his last
class so he left
early and
decided to walk
home. His house
was not far away
and he knew the
way well.
Suddenly he had
an idea: I'll
see if the kid
still is on that
corner!
And he began to
walk faster to
get there soon.
He crossed the
street and from
the other side
he could see the
boy with his box
of candy. He
approached the
boy but seeing
that he was busy
with a motorist,
Daniel waited.
When the boy was
alone, Daniel
said:
- Hello! Do you
always work
here?
The boy,
startled by
having someone
speak to him,
replied:
- Would you like
a packet of
mints?
- Yes, I do. My
name is Daniel,
and yours?
- Sebastian.
Here's your
packet.
Daniel took a
coin from his
pocket and paid
the boy.
Sebastian,
tired, sat down
on the grass
that separated
both sides of
the avenue. He
took a deep
breath and
looked at Daniel
who was watching
him.
- Phew! I'm
exhausted! The
box is heavy and
I’ve been here
on this corner
since early
today. I did not
make much money!
Only a few
people or
motorists buy my
candy.
So Daniel, asked
the question
that was
hammering his
little head:
- But why do you
work, Sebastian?
I have learned
that children
should not work.
We need to study!...
The boy became
sad and his
smile vanished
from his face:
- My father is
unemployed. My
mom tries, but I
have two younger
siblings, and as
she washes
clothes for a
living, she
earns little
money. So, to
help us, a
friend who owns
a bar, hands me
the little
packets of candy
to sell!
He stopped
speaking and,
with moist eyes,
he added:
- I would love
to go to school!
I miss my
classmates, my
teacher!
Besides, there
is always
someone who
comes and forces
me to leave this
corner and go
home because
children should
not be in the
streets!
|
Daniel was moved
by the boy’s
story, and tried
to cheer him up:
- They are
right,
Sebastian.
Children should
study and not
work. But cheer
up. I will talk
to my father.
Maybe he can
help you?
-Daniel said,
repenting
judging
Sebastian before
he got to know
his new friend.
He wrote down
Sebastian’s
address and said
|
 |
|
goodbye. |
|
Arriving home
from work, his
father wanted to
know why Daniel
did not wait for
him at the
school gate, as
he always did,
and the boy
said:
- Dad, today I
left school
early and
passing by that
street corner, I
spoke to
Sebastian, the
boy that sells
candy, as he was
still there! He
told me his
problems and I
think we need to
help him, Daddy!
As his father
was surprised,
Daniel gave him
the address and
told his father
what he knew
about the boy's
family and their
difficulties,
like being
destitute and
broke.
- You're right,
son. We will go
to his house
after I come
back from work
later on today.
Is that OK?
Daniel smiled
satisfied. At
dusk, they both
went to
Sebastian’s
house, who
received them
joyfully and
introduced them
to his parents,
which were
surprised to see
strangers in the
house.
 |
Daniel's father
talked with the
couple, since he
knew their
predicament and
explained that
he wanted to
help them. Upon
being informed
that Sebastian’s
father was a
mechanic, he
handed him the
address of a
friend who was
in need of
someone to help
in his workshop.
As for the
mother, he
suggested she
put the younger
kids in daycare,
where they would
be well looked
after, because
he |
|
wanted
to hire
her to
work in
their
home as
a maid.
And
Sebastian
would
return
to
school,
because
that was
what he
needed! |
Everyone was
happy! With good
will, their
problems had
been resolved
just by speaking
to the right
person.
The couple was
very happy with
the solutions
proposed.
- We do not know
how to thank you,
Mr. William!
Thank you! God
bless you!...
- Give thanks to
Daniel. It was
him who was
determined to
help you.
And Daniel,
gladly,
understood that
it was very
important to
learn that one
should not, in
any situation,
make hasty
judgment when
they ignore the
problem.
That lesson
would serve him
for life. From
then on, Daniel
would always try
to first learn
the truth behind
a situation so
he could act
accordingly.
MEIMEI
(Psychographed
by Celia X. de
Camargo on
21/07/2014.)
