As she walked
down a dirt road
in the woods
Lucy went on
calmly.
She lived in a
farm nearby and
was going to
school which was
about five
hundred meters
from her home.
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Suddenly, among
the vegetation,
a huge and
menacing snake
appeared,
slithering. It
slid to the
middle of the
road, got in
attack position
and waited.
At first
frightened, the
girl stopped.
She thought
about going
back. But right
then, however,
she remembered
everything that
she had learned.
Her mother
always told her
that everything
in nature is
God's creation,
and that we must
respect all
forms of life:
human, animal or
vegetal.
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Thus, filling
herself with
courage, and
taking care to
keep a good
distance, she
addressed the
reptile, saying: |
- My dear friend
snake. I have
nothing against
you. On the
contrary, we are
all brothers, as
we are children
of one Father
which is God.
I'm going to
school and have
to go through
this place which
you are now
occupying. So,
if you can be
kind enough to
let me pass,
I'll be very
grateful to you.
The girl's
voice, serene
and sweet,
quieted the
animal that
watched her with
its small eyes.
Then, seeming to
understand what
was said, it
slithered away
slowly,
disappearing
into the woods.
Lucy, grateful
to God for the
protection that
she had been
given, continued
on her way to
school.
For hours, she
remained there
focused on her
school
activities,
forgetting about
the incident.
Later on, almost
when it was time
for the bell to
ring someone
showed up. It
was a man who
had rescued a
boy. Still
scared, he said:
 |
- I had been
riding my horse
through a small
road when I saw
a kid in the
distance in
front of me. He
had a stick in
his hand, and
playing, was
hitting the
trees beside the
road, scaring
the birds and
chasing small
animals. I
noticed when a
huge snake
appeared next to
him. I wanted to
warn him of the
danger, yell to
him to keep
still and make
no sudden
movements but
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there
was not
enough
time.
The boy,
agile,
lifted
the
stick,
trying
to crush
the
snake.
But it
was
faster
and bit
him. |
- And the boy,
how is he? -
asked the
teacher,
distressed.
- Fortunately,
he was rescued
in time. He is
in the city
hospital,
receiving
medical care. As
he had a school
bag and because
of the time, I
reached the
conclusion that
he was a student
that had
"ditched" class,
and I brought it
to you. Here it
is! - he said,
handing the bag
to the teacher.
- It's Robert's!
I found it
strange that he
did not come to
school today!
Thank you, sir.
And his parents
have already
been informed?
- That is
exactly why I
came here. I do
not know where
he lives. If you
tell me the
address of the
boy, I will
inform his
family.
The teacher
explained to him
where Robert
lived, and the
good man took
his leave
hurriedly.
|
After his
departure, Lucy
said:
- It must be the
same snake that
I saw earlier
today on the
road!
- Is this true?
Did you see a
snake? Tell us!
How was that? -
asked the
teacher.
And Lucy, in
front of the
class who
listened
carefully
reported what
had happened to
her: how she
behaved in the
face of danger
and how the
snake went away
without
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molesting
her. |
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Silence fell in
the room. All
were perplexed
and thoughtful.
It was very
clear how the
behaviour of
each one had
determined a
different
reaction from
the animal.
Lucy's respect
and Robert's
aggression
generated
different
consequences.
The teacher,
pleased with the
lesson, added:
- If Robert had
come to school,
as was his duty,
he would not now
be suffering and
distressing his
parents. There
is nothing more
to be said. The
class is over.
Auntie Celia
