Mutual Respect

Mr. Manoel was a very good and compassionate man. He lived off his land and his work was always performed with love and devotion. He had a son who, despite his education, was unruly and acted with total disregard for other people, never worrying if he was harming someone or not.

His loving father tried to guide him to being good, telling him that we should always love our neighbour and respect them like Jesus taught us.

- And what about animals? - Tony would ask impatiently.

- Animals too, son. They are our younger siblings, deserving of all our consideration and respect, and in need of our help as much as we cannot not dispense with their help for our daily tasks.

Because they were out in the fields, the father paused and pointed out to an animal attached to a plow.

- Look at Gentle, for example. He is docile and meek and never neglects the hard work of the field, and in all these years we have never seen him be rebellious and undisciplined. He never assaulted anyone!

- I agree about Gentle because he helps you, Father. But what about the others! - replied Tony with contempt.

- The other animals are also helpful, son. Each has a different but no less important task. Mimosa, our cow, provides the delicious milk we drink every morning; The hens provide eggs for our food and our dog works without rest defending our house. Therefore, everyone deserves our affection and gratitude.

But Tony was still not convinced.

The next day Mr. Manoel invited Tony to go to the city to do some shopping. Tony, thrilled about the ride, happily hopped on their little cart.

When they reached the city his father entered a store to make purchases while Tony watched the movement of the street.

Time passed and his father did not return. The boy grew impatient.

He looked at Gentle there standing still, humble, not showing any signs of impatience. He wanted to assault the animal to see its reaction.

- I'm going for a walk. We'll see if he's really obedient.

Tony looked around and saw a long, thin piece of wood in a construction site nearby.

He grabbed the plank of wood and, without hesitation, got onto the wagon and ordered Gentle to start moving. The animal, not recognising the voice of his owner to which he was accustomed, did not budge.

Tony, used the slat to hit the horse's back. He whinnied in pain and, raising his front legs, perilously tipped up the frail cart which threw Tony to the ground.

As he heard the screams in the street, Mr. Manoel came very fast and found his son on the ground, screaming.

When he learned what had happened from people who had eye-witnessed the aggression, Mr. Manoel became indignant.

- But, Father, you said that Gentle was meek and still he knocked me over! - shouted the surprised boy.

And the father took his son and led him to the animal, then said to him:

- And do you think he could have acted differently? Look what you did to the poor animal!

There was a stream of blood coming from the horse's back. Tony had not realised that there was a nail at the end of that plank of wood, and it had been the pain of the wound that had made Gentle react.

Taking advantage of the opportunity that presented itself, Mr. Manoel added:

- Gentle is as tame as a lamb. He only defended himself from an aggression, instinctively. All of us, son, will receive according to what we have done. If you had given him affection and love, you would have received the corresponding retribution. Because you assaulted him, you were assaulted. Do you understand?

Feeling very embarrassed, Tony nodded his head in assent and promised to himself that he would never make the same mistake again.              

                  Aunt Celia