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Returning home
after school,
Carl was
thinking about
what he would
say to his
mother. It was
Friday. A
classmate had
invited him to
go out with some
friends.
Upon arrival, he
asked his
mother:
- Mom, can I go
out tonight?
Surprised, she
asked him where
he wanted to
go.
- Why do you
want to know,
Mom? - the boy
retorted
angrily:
- I'm your
mother, Carl,
and accountable
for you, who are
only twelve
years old.
He threw his
backpack on a
chair, angrily:
- Why do you
have to be like
this? The other
mothers are nice
and let their
kids do whatever
they want.
- But I do not.
Period. Now, go
take a shower.
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Carl left the
room, upset, and
went to his
bedroom. Upon
arriving home,
the father
immediately
noticed the
child’s frown.
- What happened,
Carl?
- I want to go
out tonight but
Mom won’t let
me. It's just a
walk around with
friends, Dad.
Nothing else!
Can I go,
please?
The father
thought for a
moment and
wondered:
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- Who are the
boys? Do we know
their families?
- No, Dad. But
they are good
people. Trust
me.
- Sorry, son. We
cannot let you,
who are still a
kid, hang out
with people we
do not know. One
must be careful.
We are
responsible for
you.
Carl left the
table and went
to his room,
crying.
Soon, he heard a
slight knock on
the door. It was
his mother that
came to see how
he was.
- Try to
understand, my
son. There is so
much violence
these days and
one cannot risk
it. We do it
because we love
you.
Although angry,
Carl said:
- Do not worry,
Mom. I'm fine. I
am going to
sleep early
tonight.
- So, sleep
well, my son.
May Jesus bless
you. Let's say a
prayer?
She said a
prayer with him
and then kissed
him on the
forehead. She
left the room,
closing the
door.
Carl, however,
had other plans.
He changed his
clothes, opened
the window and
jumped out into
the garden.
Thence to the
street was easy.
Soon, happily,
he was going to
meet his
friends.
They went to a
fast food
restaurant,
ordered a snack
and enjoyed
themselves in
earnest. But
then, one of the
boys started a
fight and they
had to leave.
They walked
through the
deserted streets
talking loudly
and disturbing
the few people
passing by.
Carl did not
like that, but
could do
nothing.
Suddenly, one of
the boys lit up
a match and set
some dried
plants on fire.
Another threw a
rock at a
window, breaking
the glass. A
third punctured
the tires of a
car and a fourth
damaged a road
sign.
Everyone laughed
thinking that
was great fun.
Carl tried to
stop them, but
they did not pay
him attention.
Suddenly a
police car drove
by and caught
them red handed.
Taken to the
Police Station,
they had to give
explanations. Carl’s
parents were
called and came
to fetch him.
They were
perplexed.
- We thought our
son was asleep!
– they
justified.
The counselor
explained what
had happened.
- And the
parents of other
kids, why are
they not here? -
asked Carl’s
mother.
- Couldn’t be
found. Anyway,
no one is taking
responsibility
for them.
They'll be here
until someone
comes to pick
them up.
Carl and his
parents returned
home. In the
car, they were
silent. After
they arrived
home, Carl said
to his parents:
- Dad! Mom! I
know you have
every reason to
be ashamed of
what I did. I am
too. I'm sorry I
snuck out.
- It could have
been much worse,
my son.
Thankfully, the
boys confessed -
his mother
said.
- I know, Mom.
Now I understand
that you were
right. I did not
really know
them. When I saw
how they acted,
I was afraid. I
tried to stop
them but they
did not listen.
- May this night
be a lesson, son
- considered the
father.
- You can be
sure that it
was, Dad. I was
really afraid
and never want
to have another
experience like
it. Now I
understand the
blessing of
having
responsible
parents like
you.
Then Carl looked
at his parents
with moist eyes,
and pleaded:
- Can you
forgive me?
Both parents,
relieved,
involved him in
a loving
embrace, showing
all the love
they had for him
and how pleased
they were to
have him home
safely.
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A few days later
it was Mother's
Day.
Carl bought a
beautiful
bouquet of
flowers and
handed it to his
mother with a
smile.
- Mom, I love
you. And now I
understand why
parents have to
be careful with
their children.
It represents
the love they
feel for them.
The boy gave his
mom a hug, then
said:
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- Thanks, Mom.
For everything.
AUNT
CELIA
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