|
|
 |
Spiritism for
Kids
-
Célia Xavier
Camargo -
Portuguese
Spanish |
|
Year 10 - N° 488 - October 23, 2016 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Lost time
|
|
A certain man
was a carpenter
by profession
and had an
extraordinary
ease to work
with wood. He
was a true
master of his
craft and
everyone admired
his work. And
the man had a
dream.
He wanted to
carve in wood a
life-size image
of Jesus whom he
loved deeply.
Talking to a
friend, the
carpenter spoke
of the dream he
harboured in his
heart and his
companion
encouraged him:
- So why don’t
you do it? With
your talent and
capable hands,
I'm sure that
the sculpture
will be a
masterpiece!
And the
carpenter said:
- Ah! My friend!
I do not lack
the desire to do
it. However, the
work must be
perfect and I
still have not
decided what
wood I should
use.
Always
uncertain, the
craftsman let
time go by. One
type wood was
not good enough
because it was
too stiff; the
other because it
was not tough
enough; another
was soft and
easy to handle,
but the tone did
not please him.
And so time
passed without
the carpenter
realising it.
A few years
later he was
reunited with
his friend
|
 |
|
who had
returned
to the
city
and,
feeling
curious,
asked
him
about
the
work. |
- I have decided
what kind of
wood that I will
use. However, I
have not yet
started because
I have not been
in my best state
of mind. I
believe that to
sculpt the
figure of the
Master I must
feel good about
myself and the
world. You know,
my customers
require a lot of
my attention but
I often get
aggravated and
lose my
patience.
Moreover, since
I cannot give up
my services of
carpentry, where
I earn a living
for my family, I
can only
dedicate myself
to the cherished
dream of my soul
in my spare
time. So, most
of the time, I
feel tired and
sleepy. However
- he completed
trying to look
enthusiastic - I
intend to begin
my masterpiece
soon.
Sometime later
they met again,
and his friend
again showed
interest in the
subject but the
craftsman
argued:
- Unfortunately,
I have not yet
started the work
because the
conditions do
not allow it. My
family takes a
lot of my
attention and my
children request
my love. It is
only normal as
they are still
young and
dependent. But
when they grow
up a little
more, I will be
able to work in
peace.
And so time
passed. Many
years later,
visiting the
city again, the
friend went to
visit the
carpenter. He
found the man
old and sick.
After the
greetings and
the exchange of
news, feeling
happy with the
reunion, the
visitor asked,
curious:
- So? I look
forward to
seeing the work
that you have
wanted so much
to do. Surely it
must be superb!
The eyes of the
craftsman lost
their sparkle
and an infinite
sadness vibrated
in his voice now
trembling with
age:
- Oh, my friend!
Unfortunately, I
did not even
start the job
that represented
the dream of a
lifetime. The
difficulties
were too great
and the need to
provide support
for my family
absorbed me.
Now, I am sick
and powerless.
My eyesight is
weak so I no
longer see as
before, and my
trembling hands
do not allow me
to work anymore.
 |
Greatly
saddened, his
visitor saw him
pull out a
handkerchief and
wipe away a
tear, filled
with regret and
bitterness.
- It's late, my
friend. I had
all the
necessary
conditions but
did not know how
to seize them. I
missed the
opportunity the
Lord has given
me.
|
|
Trying to cheer
him up, his
friend
considered: |
- Who knows? Do
not be
discouraged. It
may still be
possible.
The carpenter
looked at his
friend, showing
that he
understood the
full extent of
his uselessness
and blindness,
and said
convincingly:
- Not this time;
only if it is in
another
lifetime!
Aunt Celia
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
