|
Paul lived in a
very poor
neighbourhood,
which was part
of a big town.
He has a good
and generous
heart. Everyone
liked him.
Her dad worked
very hard in the
fields, earned
very little. His
mom also worked
very hard, but
had a low
income.
Everything his
parents earned
was spent on
food, house
rent, water and
electricity.
Paul always
dreamed of
having new
clothes, shoes
and toys. He
wore very simple
clothes and had
no toys to play
with.
Even though, he
was going
through
difficult times,
he was a happy
child. He liked
everyone and
everyone liked
him. He always
went to school
in the morning.
When he came
back, he usually
helped his mom
with home
duties. There
was always
something to do,
everyday. He was
always willing
to help those
who were in
need.
Lady Victoria
asked him to pay
an urgent bill
for her.
— Yes, sure Lady
Victoria. I will
do this for you
— he would
reply.
Someone called
him at another
time:
|
— Paul dear, can
you please make
some company to
Rita, while I do
my shopping?
Since she is
paralytic she
might need
something whilst
I am away...
— Yes,
definitely
Bénédite. I will
stay with her
and tell her a
story I learned
from school.
— Thank you. She
will be so
delighted to
have you around.
|
 |
Paul then went
to Bénédite’s
house. He got in
and smiled at
the ten year old
girl who was
unable to walk
due to polio. On
his way back
home, he met
Joseph, an old
man who
struggled to
walk by
himself.
— Oh, dear boy.
Can you please
help me to get
back home? Come
on, I am in a
rush here!
No one really
liked Joseph,
because he was
always in a bad
mood. Paul
didn’t mind the
way he was being
treated by him,
though.
— Of course,
sir. How are you
feeling today?
Paul patiently
helped the old
man walk to his
house. He talked
to Joseph all
the way, and
really enjoyed
it! This was
Paul’s behaviour.
He was generous
and kind with
everyone. He not
just helped
people, but
shared
everything he
had.
One day he found
a very beautiful
stone. It was so
bright and
beautiful it
reminded him of
the sun. He
cleaned it and
kept it in a
safe place. Soon
later he met
Andrew, a child
who was crying a
lot. He fell on
his knee and
said it was
hurting. Paul
then took the
stone out of his
pocket and
said:
— Can you see
this stone,
Andrew? It is
magic! It will
remove all your
pain away from
you! Please keep
it. It’s yours!
The little boy
looked at it and
stopped crying.
He smiled and
thanked Paul for
such a nice
gift. Paul then
went to school.
He got a
children's
storybook as a
present and soon
thought:
— I will give
this book to
Rita. She
definitely needs
it more than I
do. I can do
many things, but
my friend Rita
can only stay in
bed or in a
wheelchair.
Christmas was
not getting
close... The
city was looking
so beautiful! It
was full of
lights and joy!
Paul really
wanted to get a
new present, but
knew it was
impossible. His
parents didn’t
have enough
money for it. He
then thought,
full of
courage:
— Why do I need
a present? Jesus
has already
given me so many
things! I am
healthy, I have
loving parents
and friends... I
don’t need
anything else!
It was now
Christmas day.
Paul decided to
get out of the
house as he
wanted to meet
his friends, but
he wasn’t able
to find them.
They all seemed
to have
disappeared! He
got back home
and felt a bit
sad. It was
Christmas after
all... It was
the day we
celebrate Jesus’
birth. He really
wanted to salute
them.
Later on that
day, people came
to tell him Lady
Bénédite wanted
to speak to him.
He then walked
to her house. He
thought it was a
bit strange as
all the lights
were switched
off even though
it was quite
dark outside...
He then gently
knocked at the
front door...
 |
The door opened
and then... —
Surprise! — the
lights switched
on and he was
greeted with a
lot of clapping.
He looked around
and could see
that Bénédite’s
house was full
of people! His
friends were all
there, even
Joseph! There
was also a
Christmas tree
at the front
room, with lots
of decorations
hanging on it!
— But... what is
going on? — he
asked,
stammering
briefly.
Rita smiled and
explained to
Paul:
|
— We decided to
offer a party
for you, Paul!
We want to thank
you for
everything you
have been doing
for us.
She then showed
him a box and
said:
— This is my
present for you!
Merry Christmas!
He could not
believe what was
just happening.
He not had tears
in his eyes. He
then opened the
box and saw a
small dog with a
red tape around
his neck.
He then held the
dog and said:
— I don’t even
know how to
thank you, Rita!
I always wanted
to have puppy!
— There is not
need to thank us
for this. You
deserve much,
much more!
Everyone then
hugged him,
wishing him
Merry Christmas.
His parents were
also there,
feeling really
proud of their
son. Each person
gave him a
package. Lady
Victoria sewed a
special outfit
for him. Joseph
gave Paul a pair
of shoes....
Andrew offered
him a toy
car....
He opened his
arms and said,
full of
excitement:
— Thank you!
Thank you! The
one who really
deserves this
homage is Jesus!
It’s his
birthday! Merry
Christmas to all
of you!
On that night, a
beautiful and
pleasant party
took place at
that house. This
was a true
fraternity and
solidarity; a
consequence from
Jesus’ teaching:
Love Your
Neighbour As You
Love Yourself.
Auntie Célia
|
