The Dream Of Wealth

Mark was a very poor boy who liked to help others.

He was humble, kind and helpful to all. Within his possibilities, he always had a friendly word, an advice or a smile to give.

Thus, there was not one person who did not like him at school, in the neighbourhood or streets which he passed.

One day, his father, a worker in a large company, came home, tired but satisfied, and told the family:

- So much my colleagues insisted, that today I decided to try my luck by participating in a lottery.

The mother, careful, asked concerned:

- But won't we miss the money, Eric?

- No, Daisy. It is a small amount and I borrowed if from one of my colleagues from the company and will return it to him on pay day.

Mark's eyes started shinning and he asked his father how much they would get if he won. Eric, moved, replied:
 

	- A lot, my son, so much money that you can not imagine! ... - Could we buy new clothes? - Of course, Mark.
- Ah! ... And what about that bike I want so badly?

- That too. Yes, we would be able buy it!

And the boy, noting that his father agreed with everything, kept asking:

- And a computer? A new house? A car?

- Yes, son. If we win the lottery jackpot, we will be able to buy all that and more! - replied the father.

The boy became increasingly enthusiastic. Their lives would change completely! They would leave the shack in the slums and live in a good neighbourhood in the city.

Mark could not stop thinking about the lottery ticket.

At school, he went looking for the richest boys in class, telling them of his wealth as if it existed already, and how his life would change thereafter.

When approached by one of his poorest classmates who wanted to play with him, Mark walked away saying he had more urgent things to do.

If a neighbour came to him looking for help for his sick mother, Mark replied:

- I have nothing to give. Also, now I'm too busy.

Within days, all walked away from him. The poor friends, because he no longer paid them any attention, even to play. The rich friends, because they could not stand Mark's conversations, always talking about what he would have or everything he would buy.

This situation, however, did not last long.
 

- Thank God we did not win. Actually, I was worried about the changes that would happen in our lives. I noticed that you, Daisy, had changed, all dreamy. I could see the changes in our son, that from a good friend and kind to everyone boy, became proud and insensitive.

Our neighbours, colleagues and friends, were already calling me EuRico1! ... For all that, I was happy and relieved when we did not win.

The mother and the boy dropped their heads, disappointed. However, deep down, they knew that the father was right. Now, everything would be as usual.

Mark sighed, then nodded to his father:

- You are right, dad. Deep down, I was not happy. The hope to change our lives, the desire to be rich, made me change inside, keeping my friends and classmates away from me. I'm sorry about it, and now no one likes me!

- Son, be humble and go look for them. If they are really your friends, they will forgive you.

Building up courage, Mark left the house and sat on a stone. Suddenly, a friend came by and seeing him sad, approached.

- What happened, Mark? - he asked, sitting beside him.
 

- What happened, Dewey, is that I did not value your friendship and now I regret it. - Well, you kept away from us, but we remain friends. Come with me! My mother misses the conversations she had with you. Mark smiled and got up excited, giving his friend a hug. - Thank you, Dewey.

Then he followed Dewey, the generous friend who forgave him, thanking Jesus for the new opportunity he was being given.


                                                        MEIMEI


(Psychographed by Celia X. de Camargo on 07.02.2012.)


1 – This is a pun on Eric's name meaning “I'm rich” in Portuguese.