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Richard liked to
play with his
friend Peter.
They were
neighbours and
were about the
same age. They
would always
jump the fence
that separated
their homes and
play at each
other's house.
From time to
time, as is
natural among
children, they
would have a
disagreement and
spend a few days
not talking. But
both were
happiest only
when together.
One day, they
had a big fight
and Peter said a
few bad words to
Richard.
- Dirty Mouth! -
shouted Richard.
Then, full of
anger, and still
not happy with
the response he
gave to his
friend, Richard
searched the
ground looking
for something to
beat Peter with
but found
nothing.
However, as it
had rained the
day before,
there was still
mud in the
backyard. So
Richard grabbed
a handful of mud
and was
preparing to
throw it at his
neighbour.
At that point,
Richard's
mother, from the
kitchen door,
saw what he
meant to do, and
ran into the
yard.
- My child, what
are you doing?
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The boy looked
at his mother,
then to his
hands and said:
- I was going to
throw mud at
Peter! … He
swore very ugly
words at me,
Mum!
The mother came
close to the
child and
considered:
- And you'll be
happier throwing
mud at him?
- Ah … At least,
he'll be very
dirty! ...
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The mother
looked at her
son, and asked:
- My son, dirt
for dirt, look
at your hands! …
Do you realize
that you got
dirty first,
Richard?
The boy looked
at his muddy
hands, amazed,
as if just now
noticing.
- But he swore
at me, Mum!
- I know, son,
but when Peter
swore at you,
those words
before reaching
you, left his
own mouth all
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dirty.
Furthermore,
you
replied
too! |
The boy's mother
was thoughtful
and continued:
- When we wrong
someone, my son,
we wrong
ourselves first.
- It's true. My
hands are dirty
and I did not
even throw mud
at Peter. So
what should I
do, Mum?
She stroke her
son's head
kindly and said:
- Think. What is
the best course
of action?
The boy thought
and thought and
then seemed to
have found the
solution: If by
hurting someone
I hurt myself
first, then if I
do good, the
same will
happen. I will
be the first to
benefit from it!
...
Then Richard
looked at his
hands and saw
that the mud was
hardening. He
ran to the
garden tap and
washed them
well. He looked
around and saw
Peter who, on
the other side,
was wide-eyed
waiting for his
reaction.
He went where
his neighbour
was and
surprised him by
saying:
- Peter,
fighting is ugly
and does not
solve the
situation.
Instead, we both
get lonely and
do not have
anyone to play
with.
The other,
ashamed of what
he had done,
replied:
- I should not
have scolded
you, Richard.
Before I knew, I
had already said
it. I apologize.
Richard heard
the neighbour
and admitted:
- I was wrong,
Peter. I called
you a dirty
mouth and wanted
to get you dirty
with mud. I am
glad I did not
throw it! I
learned from my
mother that when
we desire evil
for our
neighbour, we
are the first to
be hit.
Richard extended
his hand to the
other and said:
- Friends?
- Friends!
Both, very
pleased, went to
tell Richard's
mother that they
had made their
peace.
The lady smiled
and hugged them
both.
- Making peace
is the best
thing. Preserve
your friendship
and you will
never be sorry.
The boys hugged
and promised
that they would
never fight
again.
Richard and
Peter grew up,
changed school,
went to college,
but never forgot
that lesson.
And through
life, each time
a disagreement
with someone
came up, the
problem would be
resolved through
dialogue,
understanding,
tolerance and
peace.
Meimei
(Message
received by
Celia Xavier de
Camargo on
02/21/2011.)
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