Seven year-old
Andrew got a
safe-deposit box
shaped like a
pig. From that
day on, he began
to store all the
coins he earned.
Knowing this,
whenever they
had some coins
to spare, both
his parents and
grandparents
would give them
to the boy.
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Every time he
got a coin his
eyes sparkled.
Happy, he would
run to the
bedroom and
deposit the
money in his
piggy bank,
which weight was
continually
increasing.
Some time later,
heavy rains fell
and Andrew
learned that a
very poor
neighbourhood
had been invaded
by the river,
flooding the
streets and
houses. A group
of people asked
for help to the
residents, who
were now
helpless, after
losing their
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homes,
furniture
and
clothes. |
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Andrew felt
sorry for those
people. As they
passed by his
house collecting
aid for the
victims, the boy
thought he would
like to help,
but he had
nothing! ...
The mother
informed as she
received the
visitors:
- I really want
to collaborate,
but for now
accept these
pieces of
clothing.
- Thank you,
ma'am. They will
be very useful!
- the man
replied with a
smile.
Andrew, hearing
the
conversation,
remembered about
his piggy bank.
He had money! He
ran to the
bedroom and
taking the pig
off his desk
noted how heavy
it was.
He left the room
bending under
the weight of
the safe when
suddenly he
stopped,
thinking: But
these coins are
all I have!
...I'll give
them all away?!
... - And he
turned around,
putting the safe
back where it
was.
That night the
family gathered
for the Gospel
at home and the
lesson was about
greed.
- Daddy, what
does greed mean?
- Andrew asked,
curious.
- Greed, my son,
is the excessive
attachment that
certain people
have with money.
After reading
it, they
commented on the
text. The boy
asked, worried:
- Daddy, is
money bad then?
- No, my son.
Money is
neutral, neither
good nor bad. It
depends on the
use we make of
it. It is bad
when it leads to
crime, vices and
all that is
negative. But it
is also good
because it helps
to build
schools,
hospitals,
bridges and
support people.
When we keep
money without a
purpose, then it
becomes a
burden.
- Ah! ... So we
can't keep it? -
the boy
enquired.
- Yes, we can,
Andrew. The
money we save is
an effort we
make thinking
ahead. However,
my son, the
coins we don't
need can be a
blessing from
God for those in
need.
- Got it, Dad.
It is as if God,
through our
hands, have them
delivered!
- That's right,
son.
- But if our
money was a gift
from others, yet
can we donate
it?
The father
understood where
his son was
going and
explained:
- Undoubtedly,
Andrew! When we
get a gift, it
becomes ours and
we can use it as
we see fit.
- Ah! ... -
Andrew was
silent,
thoughtful.
The meeting
ended with a
prayer. After a
light snack,
they went to
sleep. The boy
was all excited,
waiting for the
next day.
Hardly a little
sunshine came in
through his
window, Andrew
woke up. He got
up, took the
piggy bank with
him and left the
house, heading
for the school
where people
were sheltered.
Entering the
gymnasium, he
was very
saddened to see
how many people
that were there,
sleeping on the
floor: children,
teenagers,
adults and the
elderly.
Families were
kept together,
but the sadness
was great and
many wept.
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Walking in the
midst of people,
Andrew saw a
family in a
corner and felt
attracted to
them: a couple
with four
children and a
baby. "What if
it was me who
was there in
their place?" -
with that
thought he was
touched.
He approached
them and held
out his arms,
offering the
father his safe.
A little girl, a
three year-old,
smiled and
clapped
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her hands with
joy, saying:
- Look! What a
beautiful pig!
...
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Everyone smiled
and the father,
moved, noting
the weight of
the safe,
thanked him for
the present. He
asked him his
name, then
introduced
himself,
reaching out his
hand:
- I am Alfonso.
Thank you,
Andrew, for your
help! You do not
know how much
this means to
us! It was God
who sent you
here! ...
Andrew's eyes
moistened with
those words.
Alfonso seemed
to think for a
moment, then
considered:
- Andrew, if you
do not mind, I
will deliver
this treasure
that you gave us
to the team that
is helping us.
Thus, your gift
will be used to
buy food for
everyone. Okay?
Andrew smiled,
agreeing.
Although a
child, he noted
the greatness of
soul of Alfonso
who, concerned
with the others,
did not want to
take advantage
alone of what
they received.
After talking a
bit with the
family, the boy
took his leave
promising to
return. Because
of the immense
need of those
people, he
decided that he
would be back
bringing them
everything he
could get. Not
only that, he
would also ask
door-to-door for
help,
collaborating in
the collection
for the needy.
Andrew went home
feeling
relieved. Not
only his hands
were free of a
burden. His
heart also was
lighter.
And deep in his
chest, he
noticed a
pleasant warmth
spreading
throughout his
body, filling it
with well-being
and joy for
having done a
good deed.
MEIMEI
(Psychographed
by Celia X. de
Camargo on
30.01.2012.)
