The small orphan

— I don’t want it. I want a car with remote control, just like the one Edward got on his birthday!  — But, darling, it’s too expensive! — his mom said, upset.

— I don’t care. I want, I want, I want! — he screamed, stamping his feet. 

When his caring mother bought him clothes, he said: 

— This is awful! Do you think I’ll wear “this”? These clothes are worthless! 

— When I saw at the store I found it beautiful and I remembered you, my son — his mom said, disappointed. 

— So you can get your money back. I’m not going to wear it. I like expensive clothes and fancy stores. In fact, what I really need is some “jeans” like Bob’s. 

At the meal time it was always the same problem. Richard complained about everything: 

— Vegetables again? 

— Yes, my son. Vegetables are good for our health and they are delicious. 

— Well, I won’t eat them! — the boy yelled, rejecting the food. — Had it been roasted chicken, as I saw the other day at Andy’s, I would eat it. 

— My son — his mom answered — these things are expensive and life is so hard. You know we have everything, but daddy works hard to provide for us. We should thank God for everything we have and the peaceful life we lead. 

The boy gave her the shoulders and left moaning. 

Richard’s mom, in her prayers, always asked God to help her son, so envious and selfish, to see life with other eyes. 

One day, the boy had argued with his parents; he wanted a new bicycle and, as they said no, the boy went out slamming the door, crying and complaining: 

— Nobody likes me! Nobody gives me what I ask! I’m so unhappy. I want to live somewhere else! 

Richard got to a square and sat in a bench. Sad, there he stayed, decided not to come back home; he wanted to scare his parents. 

After some minutes he noticed a kid a bit smaller than him, sitting on the floor, looking so sad. 

He approached him and didn’t even know why. Actually, he never cared for the others.  

— Hi, there! — he said. 

The boy raised his head and Richard saw he was crying. 

— What happened? — he asked. 

— I feel so lonely. I have nobody who likes me. I’m an orphan and I live on the streets — the boy mumbled. 

— How come? Homeless? 

— No. When my parents died I went to live with my aunt. But she illtreated me and forced me to steal, saying that I ate a lot and it was hard to meet my demands. After some time, I couldn’t take it anymore; I left home and, since that day, I’ve been sleeping on benches. 

— And where do you eat? 

The boy smiled. He was sad and hopeless. 

— Usually, I beg for food in some rich house, but I can’t get it every day. So, I look in trash cans searching for food. You have no idea how many good things you can find there! 

Richard, who never thought there were people so poor, seemed surprised and shocked. 

— How old are you? What’s your name? 

— I’m eight and my name is Joe. What about you? You look sad too! Haven’t you got anybody too?  

— I have, Joe - Richard said, proud. — I have a wonderful family and I’d like you to meet them. My mom is very kind and cooks simple food, but delicious. Do you want to have lunch with me? 

Joe accepted happy. It’s been some time he didn’t eat and he was hungry. 

When he got home, Richard introduced his new friends and, in tears, apologized for his behavior. 

— Mommy, now I understand tha God has been good to me giving us a nice and comfortable house. What else can I ask for? 

Happy with the change his son had shown her, she hugged him, saying kindly: 

— That’s good, my son, I’m glad you think this way. God has heard my prayers and, if we are not wealthy in terms of money, we are in love, peace, joy and health. Isn’t that so? 

— Yeah, mom — Richard agreed, smiling. 

Joe spent some days there and then, so well he adapted there, he ended up being adopted, making part of the family, and everybody got happy.                            
                     
                                                                 Aunt Célia