Theme: Free will

The bear Pipo

Pipo was a strong and beautiful bear, friend of the animals of the forest. He liked to talk, but what he really liked was to rest.

At any time of the day, it was possible to find Pipo lying down, taking a nap, or just lying on his back on the ground, admiring the treetops or the blue sky.

Pipo used to stay under a large tree, which, he said, gave perfect shade. But there was a problem: the ground under this tree was full of rocks and since Pipo started to lie there, he started to complain.

- Oh, what a back pain! Oh, how hard these stones are! - Pipo said to those passing by.

- Wow, friend, this place is not good to lie down. Don't you want to find the shade of another tree to rest? - said the animals, advising Pipo.

But the bear replied:

- No! Never mind! I will continue right here.

Time passed and, more and more, Pipo felt his back aching.

Some days it hurt so much that it took him a long time to get up. He felt that he couldn´t move. The other animals didn't understand why Pipo didn't solve that situation.

One day, the dove, the coati and the monkey met their friend, walking, with difficulty, to the river and said good morning to him.

- Good morning people! In fact, the day would be good even if my back didn't hurt so much today - said the bear, with a forced smile.

Friends knew there was no point in giving advice anymore. Not knowing what they could do to help Pipo, they decided to look for the Lion King, who was a very wise king. They explained the case to the king but were surprised and somewhat disappointed to find that he already knew everything.

The monkey could not contain himself and asked:

- Your Majesty, if you already knew that Pipo the bear is not well, why haven't you done anything until now?

The king smiled calmly and explained:

- Dear monkey, all measures were taken as soon as I was informed of the situation. I asked the squirrels to find other trees with good shade. But Pipo did not want to change his resting place, mentioning defects in each of the options. I asked the armadillo to evaluate whether it would be possible for us to make a joint effort, to remove the stones, but he advised against it, because there are so many that a huge hole would have to be made. I also asked the forest doctor to examine Pipo and recommend a treatment. Dr. Beaver assured me that Pipo was aware that in order to definitively solve the problem, he would need to move. But Pipo didn't want to! You can see that what was possible to do has been done, but no one can help those who don't want to be helped. Now what we need is patience and respect for Pipo's free will.

The animals listened to the king's explanations and the dove still wanted to know:

- But, Lion King, I still don't understand. If Pipo knows what's wrong with him and still doesn't want to move, why does he keep complaining?

- Because the pain is enough for him to complain. But they are not enough to make him take the attitude of leaving the tree he likes and looking for a place that is good for him, where he can really rest - replied the lion.

The dove, the coati and the monkey thanked the king for his attention and left thoughtfully.

They began to pray for Pipo and had to exercise patience to accept their friend's choice.

Some time passed and one day Pipo noticed that he was even getting wounds on his back. That day he felt very sad. So sad, he decided he didn't want to go on like that anymore.

Pipo decided to look for the lion king and ask for help. The king was very thoughtful, and the bear soon found a great spot for him to lie down.

The dove, the coati and the monkey called other friends and threw a surprise party to inaugurate Pipo's new resting place.

The bear was very happy and thanked everyone.

Pipo began to lie down on a very soft grass and in a short time the wounds and pains healed.

He soon got used to the new location and began to like it a lot.

After a while Pipo hardly remembered the other tree and the rocks anymore, and when he thought about them it was just to make sure he never wanted to go back there.

He had known a much better life. And learned that friends can even help us, but it's our own choices that lead us to a happy ending.

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com