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Luis was a
loving and
intelligent boy,
who was always
feeling happy.
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He played every
day with his
neighbour
Carmen. They
were both six
years of age.
They really
enjoyed playing
together, but
sometimes
disagreed as
they had
different ways
of thinking.
Luis was always
feeling happy
and at peace;
whereas Carmen
was really
demanding,
selfish and
always in a bad
mood.
When Carmen
wanted to play
with a
playhouse, Luis
would play with
her. Therefore,
when Luis wanted
to play another
game, Carmen
would not
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accept
it. He
would
end up
changing
his mind
to
please
his
friend
in a
very
calm and
respectful
way. |
One day they
were both
playing at
Carmen’s house
when her mother
called them
inside:
— Come on, kids!
Please come
inside and wash
your hands. It’s
snack time!
Luis immediately
obeyed. He then
stopped what he
was doing and
was just about
to go inside.
Carmen felt
irritated with
her mother:
— It had to be
just now, mom? I
don’t want to
wash my hands or
eat! — She
complained.
The boy took her
by the hand into
the kitchen.
There it was –
on the table, a
beautiful and
delicious
looking cake
waiting for
them. Luis then
said:
— Hey, Carmen.
Please look at
the delicious
snack your
mother prepared
for us. Come on.
Let’s go to the
bathroom and
wash our hands.
Carmen didn’t
want to go, but
did in the end.
They then sat
down around the
table whilst
Carmen’s mom
served them milk
and cake.
Luis drank his
milk and ate his
peace of cafe
with joy. The
girl was still
complaining:
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— I prefer the
other cake, mom.
That chocolate
cake you make.
— Carmen, this
cake is
delicious! Could
I please have
another piece? —
The boy said.
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Carmen’s mother
smiled and gave
him another
piece of cake.
She then asked
him: |
— Luis, I
noticed you are
very different
to my daughter.
You always look
happy and
content. You
never complain
about anything.
Why is that?
He considered
for a while and
then said:
— I learned with
my mom that we
should be
grateful for
everything God
gives us.
Carmen then
replied:
— Oh, really!
And what is it
that God is
giving us?
— He is giving
us everything! —
He calmly
replied.
— What do you
mean?
He then
explained to his
little friend:
— Yes, He gave
us everything.
Who have us
life? What about
our body? What
about our
family? What
about the love
we get from our
mom and dad?
What about this
beautiful and
sunny day?
— But we have
always had that!
— Carmen replied
back.
— We have always
had because we
have a Father
who gave us this
honour. Can you
imagine our life
without these
things, Carmen?
Carmen’s mom was
astonished. She
realised she was
always spoiling
her daughter.
She taught
Carmen to
consider these
things as
something she
had the right to
have; rather
than evaluate
the beauty of
it.
— Luis is right,
Carmen. Have you
considered there
are many
children that
are born blind
in the world?
What about the
ones who can’t
walk?
Carmen thought
about it for a
minute. Luis
agreed with
Carmen’s
mother.
— Your mom is
right, Carmen.
Do you remember
when I was away
at home in bed
for a few days?
At that time, I
couldn’t go to
school or play
with you.
— Yes, I
remember.
— That was
because I had
hepatitis, which
is a very
dangerous
disease. I
wanted to go out
and play, go to
school, but
couldn’t. I felt
so angry but my
mom explained
that I would get
better if I
followed the
treatment
correctly. The
more I stayed
calm, the
quicker the
disease would go
away. If I
complained and
cried, this
wouldn’t help
anything. It
would only
matters worse.
Carmen was
really surprised
by his words.
Luis stopped
talking for a
while but then
said:
— My mom made me
realise all the
good things God
gave me, but I
wasn’t aware of.
Since that day,
I thank God for
my health, my
body, my family
and a list of
other things.
Carmen now
understood what
his friend was
telling her. She
then smiled to
her mother and
said:
— Mom, I have
been a very
annoying
daughter so far,
right? I will
change. I want
to be just like
Luis. Your cake
is delicious.
Can I have
another slice,
please?
Aunt Celia
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