Theme: Body Care

The “car-body”

Daniel was a good and intelligent boy. But his father had been worried about his, not always healthy, habits.

The boy spent many hours sitting in a bad posture, distracting himself on the internet. He didn't like sports, and even playing with his colleagues outdoor was frowned upon by the boy. His only healthy fun was to play with his collection of strollers, which he loved. Each cart had a name and even personality in Daniel's imagination.

At meals, he barely ate. He just liked the fried foods and noodles. He rejected the salads and the fruits. When he was hungry, he would look in the pantry for packets of stuffed cookies and candies. He barely drank water. He preferred sodas or artificial juices.

When it was time to go to the bath, Daniel would hide. To brush his teeth, he was very lazy.

His father always talked to him, explaining the need to help his body function well and maintain health.

- We need to treat our body well so that it can treat us well - he said.

But Daniel would not listen to him. He had the impression that his father only offered him boring things, which he did not like to do or eat. He didn't seem to understand how valid his father's advice was.

One night, while Daniel was playing in the living room with his strollers, his father approached and once again talked with him about it.

- Son, you ate almost nothing at dinner. Did you know that our body is like a car?

The boy, hearing about the car, was curious:

- What do you mean, daddy?

- The body is the "car" of our spirit. When we are born here on earth it is as if we get a "car" from God. We go everywhere and do everything using our physical body - he answered. - But we can never change cars, we always have to use it, until the end of life. If you had a real car that had to last a lifetime, how would you treat it? Wouldn't you put the best fuel in it? Wouldn't it walk at the right speed to move the engine and wheels correctly? Would you leave your one car parked for a long time, rusting?

Daniel had never thought about it and, admiring, listened to his father, who kept saying:

- And you wouldn't take your car to the mechanic, who is the car doctor? The mechanic often prescribes lubricants and additives. Our body doctor prescribes vitamins or medicines when needed. Isn't it worth taking them so that our "body car" has no problems?

Seeing that Daniel was paying attention, his father further argued:

- Now imagine how bad it would be if instead of putting good fuel in your one and only important car you left its tank empty, almost out of gas. Or worse, if you put any liquid in the tank that could damage the engine. This is what happens to our body when we eat food or drink that impairs the functioning of our organs.

And finally, the father explained:

- That's why, even though Daddy knows you don’t like it so much, Dad asks you to do certain things. You like your strollers and I know you take good care of them. And I like you too, so I want the best for you too, got it?

Daniel nodded. The father then went to the kitchen and the boy went back to play. But now the play-act was a little different.

Daniel had all the carts lined up to enter the auto repair shop, which was under the chair. And then they made another line in the center of the carpet to fill the gas station that had the best “city” gas, which he improvised on the coffee table.

- I don't want to - said Daniel, speaking from one of the carts. – This gasoline is not tasty. I prefer the one that comes in the plastic gallon, which is blue and tastes like tutti-frutti.

- But this one will be much better for you, Speedy. You'll have enough strength to race and win Sunday's race - said the boy, wrapped in his imagination.

And after filling up the tank, the carts were all gone to the cushion-built car wash for thorough cleaning.

Even from a distance his father could hear the dialogue and the play. He smiled with satisfaction, certain that Daniel had understood how important it was to take good care not only of the strollers but also of his own body car.
 

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com