The gardener's lesson
       
 

Nine year-old Albert, lived in a big mansion. In the huge garden, that a gardener looked after with love, only Albert could play.

His room was full of toys, games and books. All there was of the most expensive and modern, he would ask his father and he would get. However, despite feeling satisfied with everything that belonged to him, Albert was always alone, because his parents did not like him to bring friends home.

So he would seize the opportunity to play with his friends at school, and was always sad to return home, where he had everything, but felt very lonely.

One day, sitting on the lawn, he vented to the gardener that was working nearby: - John, I should consider myself very fortunate to have so many things, this beautiful home, garden, a swimming pool just for me, and getting everything I want, right? The gardener stopped what he was doing, took his straw hat off his head wiping the sweat from his face and sat near the boy to get some rest.

- I think so, Albert! But are you not happy?

- I do not know, John. My colleagues have none of this and are happier than me - said the boy.

Spinning his hat in his hands, the gardener considered:

- Once, Jesus told the parable of a rich man whose fields had produced plenty but had nowhere to put all the produce. The farmer decided to demolish his barns and build bigger ones, so he would not have to worry about it for many years, enjoying his property. But as he lied down in bed God told him: - “Fool! If you die tonight, who will get all you saved?” This happens to the person who holds many treasures for themselves but is not rich before God. Thus, Jesus shows us that happiness does not depend on the things we have, because nothing is truly ours.

- What do you mean? … What really belongs to us, then?

- Albert, God gives us material things for our use, but when we go to the spiritual world we can take nothing, because material things are not ours at all. We can only take what belongs to the Spirit: what we learn, qualities and potentials that we develop and all the good we do.

- Then why did He give us all this? - asked the boy, showing the property. - God always gives us the conditions we need for our spiritual growth. When we get wealth, that means it should not be used only for our own sake, but with a useful purpose, such as helping people who have less than us, providing jobs and generating benefits for society. I, for one, am grateful to your father, who gave me work and the means to support my family. Got it? - Oh … So, thinking like that, I have nothing?!... -

the boy said, looking at the gardener, as if he had just woken up. - You are very young, Albert! You will grow up and do many things.

He kept quiet after all he had heard, thinking that time was precious and he could not waste it. He felt poorer than the most miserable of his colleagues.

Albert returned home unable to forget the words of the gardener. He regretted not having talked to John a long time ago, because his parents were not interested in religion.

He thought … thought … and after much thinking, at dinner, he told his father:

- Daddy! I made a decision. Tomorrow I'll bring my friends for lunch here at home.

Surprised at the firmness of his son, the father agreed as long as Albert's friends did not break anything.

The next day, to everyone's surprise, Albert brought his friends home. It was like a party! They played in the garden and swam in the pool. Lunch was delicious and the desserts even better.

Then the boy took them to his room and gave his friends clothes and shoes, as well as toys, games and books. At the end of the day they were all happy, and the happiest of all was Albert. So, now he could better understand that each one only really has what they give. He had never been so happy!

As he was saying goodbye to his friends, he saw many poor children who were passing by and stopped at the gate, watching him and his friends in the garden and willing to share that joy. In the sad and emaciated faces, he noticed that they were hungry. He motioned to approach them, but fearful, they ran. When he reached the gate, they had disappeared.

Those children impressed him very much. At night, when his father arrived, he found Albert very different, his face flushed and eyes bright.

- So, my son? How was your day?

- Daddy! I've never been so happy in my entire life! I gave them a lot of things and I feel lighter and happier! Ah … I was thinking! I would like to turn this house into a kind of art school for children with music lessons, drawing, painting and more. What do you think?

- But why, son? - asked the father, surprised and scared, looking at the mother.

- Because yesterday alone I learned more than in my entire life. I learned that in fact we receive from God all we have, but really it is ours only what we give to others, understand? I know, Dad, you already help people providing employment in the factory. But this house is too big for just the three of us! If we move to a smaller house, we can make this space more useful and enjoyable for everyone!

The father noticed his son seemed more mature. He had clear ideas and seemed certain of what he wanted.

- Son, how have you changed so much? You would just think about buying things! What happened?

The boy smiled and before answering, he whispered in the ear of a servant. Soon after, the gardener came, hat in his hands, ashamed of being dirty.

Albert called out:

- Come in, John. Daddy, I owe my change to John, our gardener, who with his words showed me a new reality.

- The ideas are not mine. I just remembered a lesson from Jesus - said the humble gardener.

From that day on, John became more connected with the family, helping them to study the Gospel of Jesus, which brought them a new meaning of life based on loving our neighbours, on fraternity and on solidarity.

As they got to know each other better, Albert's parents also began to admire him for his greatness of soul and his knowledge. John had a degree, but out of necessity accepted the position of gardener. Soon, John was working at the factory with managerial responsibility.

Albert's parents, thanks to John, could learn more about the Gospel of Jesus and the Spiritist Teachings, which gave them an understanding for the realities of the spirit.

Meimei

(Psychographed by Celia X. de Camargo, on 1 August 2011.)