Theme: Forgiveness

Simon's gifts

In a large tree lived a monkey called Simon.

You cannot imagine how playful Simon was and, besides that, he liked to give funny gifts and play tricks on all the animals in the neighborhood. It didn't have to be a big date for the monkey to run around with a beautiful gift box with that colorful ribbon.

One morning, Simon woke up with the rays of sunlight coming through his window. The first thing he remembered was Mrs. Fox's birthday. He got up and, in the blink of an eye, washed and got dressed, running afterwards to greet the birthday lady.

- Good morning, Mrs. Fox, how are you? I came to greet you for your birthday. Please accept this little gift that I brought as a reminder of this day.

- Oh, Simon, you didn’t need to bother. Thank you!

Saying that, Mrs. Fox opened the package, very happy with the gift. But what a surprise awaited her! When opening the package, there was a frog, which jumped out of the box as soon as she opened the lid.

- Oh! What a fright! I thought it was a beautiful dress! Uh! Uh! - she said, scared and sad.

The monkey was already far away and laughing at the Fox's fright.

The other day he woke up and ran out a lot, because he had to gift Mrs. Seal, who lived on the lake.

- Hello, Mrs. Seal, how are you? I came to bring you a souvenir - he said, handing her a package with a beautiful blue knot.

Mrs. Seal, very happy, opened the package and...

- Oh! Simon, but you know I don't like vegetables! I only eat fish.

And so, time passed, and the little monkey always found a strange gift to give. His friends became sad and no longer visited him anymore. Simon played alone and had no more desire to play tricks on anyone, because of his gifts, he was left with no friend.

The days continued to pass, and Simon was more and more alone, bored and sorry. He stayed at his window, waiting for a visit; but no one came. Sometimes he ran down the tree, thinking he heard someone calling; but when he hit the ground, there was no one. He spent hours waiting for someone to pass.

Until his birthday came. The monkey made a cake, decorated it very well and went out into the forest inviting all the animals to the big party he was going to throw. In the evening, he was anxious, waiting for his guests, but time passed and passed, and no one came.

Simon sat in a chair, looking at the cake. The tears rolled down his face and he said:

- If my friends come it’s a sign that they have forgiven me and I would be happy, laughing and joking. I would promise them never to deceive them again.

And he stayed there for hours and hours until he fell asleep, hunched over the table. Suddenly, he woke up to a clapping and laughing sound. He looked! He couldn't believe it; it felt like a dream!

- My friends! You came, you didn’t forget me! Thank you! You all forgave me. I promise not to give any more bad gifts. I will give you gifts that you will like them very much!

And there they savored the cake, happy to have forgiven Simon and he was happy in return to be friends with the animals again.

Source: Text in the Evangelization Jardim A booklet, published by Aliança.

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com