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Once upon a
time, an eight
year old boy
called Rui was
very worried. He
took his
father’s new
sound system to
school, without
asking for
permission as he
wanted to
impress his
colleagues.
On the way back, Rui let it fall
on the floor. He
was so
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scared
and
rushed
home. He
wanted
to test
it in
order to
find out
if it
was
still
ok.
Therefore,
it was
broken
and Rui got really
frightened. His
dad was about to
get home. |
His dad arrived
from work,
turned on the
sound system and
realised it was
broken.
— What happened
to the sound
system? — His
dad asked.
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Rui then
trembled and
said:
— I was the one
who broke it,
dad.
Rui then
explained what
happened and
concluded:
— I know I made
a mistake, dad,
but I had no
intention of
breaking it. I
am so sorry.
His dad then
said:
— You did say
the truth, son,
which is good.
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But do
you
realise
what you
have
done?
This
cost me
a lot of
money
and now
I have
no
resources
to get
it
fixed. I
will
accept
your
apologies,
but you
will
need to
pay for
it to be
fixed. |
His son then
said:
— But I have no
cash on me, dad!
The pocket money
you gave me was
spent! Please
forgive me, just
one. I promise I
will never take
anything from
you without
asking your
permission! — He
then started to
cry.
His dad then
looked at his
son, and said:
— Ok, Rui. I
will forgive you
for this
accident, but I
hope this never
happens again!
The boy hugged
his father,
thanking him for
his support. He
then went out to
play in the
street. He then
met a neighbour
he borrowed some
marbles a few
days ago. The
boy was only six
years old.
Rui looked at
him and asked
for the marbles
back. The boy
got scared and
said:
— I don’t have
the marbles
anymore, Rui. I
lost them. As
soon as my dad
gives me money,
I will buy you
new ones.
Rui then got
furious. He felt
really angry and
started to
scream at Roger,
who was much
smaller than
him:
— You are such a
fool. You
promised me to
give my marbles
back. You will
have to pay
anyway.
— No, Rui!
Please don’t hit
me! I promise
you I will give
you new
marbles!
Rui didn’t care.
He started to
hit the boy.
Since Roger was
much smaller
than Rui, he
couldn’t defend
himself.
Someone saw Rui
hitting Roger in
the street. She
then went on to
Rui’s dad to get
help. Gerald was
able to see his
son saying to
Roger:
— If you don’t
give my marbles
back now you
will be beaten
up badly.
Gerald got in
the middle of
the fight and
stopped both of
them. He then
looked at his
son and said,
loudly:
— Is that what
you learned with
me today, Rui? I
just forgave you
from a much
worse debt. You
should be
compassionate
with your
friend, don’t
you think?
Rui heard his
father’s saying
and felt ashamed
of himself.
— I didn’t
recognise you
when I got here,
my son. You
looked so
arrogant, proud
and intrusive.
You were about
to beat someone
much smaller
than you???
Rui then started
to cry and
asked:
— I am so sorry,
dad. Please
forgive me! This
will never
happen again.
Gerald was
inflexible. He
then said:
— This won’t
happen; you are
right. Now, you
apologise to
Roger for your
aggressive
behaviour. Then
we will talk. In
order to repair
your mistake,
you will have to
repay me the
damage on the
sound system.
— But I already
told you I don’t
have any money,
dad!
— It doesn’t
matter. I will
wait. It will
take you eight
months to pay it
back, but you
deserve this
lesson. During
this period of
time, you won’t
be able to buy
anything.
Rui then learned
to be
compassionate
with other, as
other have been
to him. He
learned to
forgive if he
wished to be
forgiven.
Aunt Celia
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