Theme: Goodwill; optimism

The Grotto of Colored Stones

Julius's mother was very concerned about her son. Talking to the boy, she realized that he didn´t have motivation. He didn't want to go to school, or to the football training he used to love so much. Besides, the company of friends who came to look for him, he didn't like them anymore.

She talked to her husband, who had an idea. Then he looked for the son and said:

- Julius, next weekend I want to take you to a very beautiful place, where you have never been. It's a little far from here, but it's worth it. I think you'll like it!

Julius's father used to explore nature. He knew special places and several trails. Other times that Julius accompanied him, he always liked it very much.

Saturday came. Julius and his father loaded their backpacks with snacks, water and equipment and proceeded to the place of the tour.

- Where are we going, Daddy? Asked the boy, curious.

- Let's go to the Grotto of Colored Stones. It's a charming place, unlike anything you've ever seen.

They parked the car in a safe place and walked for a long time. The father then explained to Julius that they will enter through an opening, go through the interior of the cave and leave on the other side.

 As soon as they entered the cave, Julius noticed the texture of the walls, which gave the environment a very beautiful appearance. The boy started walking, accompanied by his father, who showed him the way.

It turns out that, as they entered the cave, the light decreased. The father, who knew the place well, moved easily. But Julius tripped over a rock and almost hit his head...

The father then reported:

- This part of the cave already has colored stones. And on the walls, the formations caused by the moisture that drips from the ceiling are true natural sculptures, which took hundreds of years to form.

Julius could not see anything, least of all the beauties his father said was there.

Both of them walked a few more steps and darkness took over. The father then stopped and took two headlamps, suitable for that type of outing, from his backpack. He adjusted one of them on himself and the other on his son's head.

- Okay, now turn yours on by pressing that button - he said to Julius.

The boy pressed the button and a bright light from his flashlight illuminated the entire room, which was immediately transformed.

Julius was surprised by that sudden vision. Where his head turned, the light on his forehead allowed him to see the colored stones embedded in the walls. They had different colors and shapes: white, yellow, red, blue, green, lilac; matte, shiny, small, rounded, pointed, large...

Julius walked slowly, dazzled by what he saw. His father also lit his flashlight and went after his son, who shared with him each discovery.

After a few meters, Julius saw a small lake. The water was transparent, being possible to see the bottom, where the sand made drawings. There were also crystals, which shone differently because they were in the water.

 Julius thought it was incredible.

Soon father and son saw the brightness of the exit. On the way back, Julius, happy, said to his father:

- Thanks dad! I loved visiting the Grotto of Colored Stones. It's really beautiful!

- Glad you liked. I brought you here not just for the ride. I would like you to ponder on something too. How do you think the ride would have been if we did not turn on the lights?

- Wow, it would be a horror! In the dark, it would have no beauty at all, and it would even be dangerous! - Replied Julius quickly - But you brought me here just to learn that I must not forget the flashlight?

The father laughed at his son's hasty conclusion and replied smiling:

- That would also be useful learning! But I wanted to talk to you about something more important, son. Life is like this Grotto of Colored Stones. If we do not illuminate what is around us, nothing is funny or valuable. We go through life without profit. It is our role to see things with good eyes and know how to see the blessings we have in opportunities.

- What do you mean? - Asked Julius.

- There are many good things in life that you may not be aware of. The school, for example. You may have requirements, but have you ever thought if you didn't have the opportunity to study? Soccer training can be tiring, but have you ever thought how cool it is to participate in a championship? Everything has two sides. One that can be "dark" and one that "shines". To see the beautiful things, you have to turn on your light! Understood?

- I think so! Replied Julius thoughtfully.

Arriving home, Julius enthusiastically told his mother all about the cave. The father looked at his wife. Both smiled with satisfaction at seeing their son happy.

At bedtime, Julius remembered the beauty of the cave and reflected on the teachings he had. He decided that the next day he would “turn on his light” and try to see the good in things.

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com