The Beggar 

While walking through the city streets and entering a poorer area, Richard saw a man who was moaning by a wall. Covered in rags, huddled, he shivered with cold and the boy was filled with pity. On a cold day like that, he could only be someone who had no family nor a house to live. Richard moved closer and saw the poor man coughing. Because of his generous heart, the boy ran back home and, breathlessly, said to his father:

- Dad! I saw a man who looks very ill. He is lying on the sidewalk, and if we don't do something for him, the poor man will freeze to death.

Gene carefully thought about it and replied:

- Son, this man may be a criminal! We cannot bring him into our home.

In tears, Richard replied:

- Dad, the other day you read in the Gospel that Jesus advised us to love God above all things and our neighbour as ourselves! ... Isn't he our neighbour?

- It is true, son. You're right, he's our neighbour. However, I am responsible for our family and I have to protect you and your mother, who are both part of it.

- I know, dad. However, in our study of the Gospel, we read that the Master also said that those who are ill are the ones that need doctors and remedies and not the healthy ones!  And that man is sick.   If we don't help him, he'll die! ...

	The father bowed his head at the young child's recollection and gave up. Surely the Lord would protect them. - All right, son. Let's take the cart and you show me the way. Satisfied, Richard cozied up to his father and showed him the way that would take them to the street where
he had seen the beggar.

Once there, the father realized that the beggar was really badly sick. With the help of his son, he put the man on the cart and transported him to their house, since that area was very poor and there was no doctor or hospital nearby.

At home, the patient was placed near the fire to warm up. Joan, Richard's mother, who knew about herbs and medicinal plants, made some tea and gave him to drink with a spoon.

That night they stayed with the patient. At dawn, showing some improvement, the man slept more peacefully and the family could rest too.

Upon waking up Richard ran to the sick man, worried. The man looked at the boy, gratefully.

- How are you, sir? - Richard asked, interested.

- Now I'm all right, kid. How did I get here?

Richard told him what had happened. Surprised, the guest said as also he saw the couple  approaching him:

- I am very grateful to you all. I was travelling to the home of one of my daughters when a strong fever overwhelmed me and I couldn't see anything. Shivering with cold, I could only settle down on the ground and I had no condition to react. I saw it when thieves stole everything I had, but I could not do anything. Thanks to you, I'm better now. I think I should carry on as I have already abused your hospitality.

The father responded forthwith:

- No way! You will stay with us until your health is completely restored. Then I can take you wherever you want on my cart.

As everyone insisted, the patient eventually agreed, smiling:

- OK, I will stay.

One morning, a week later, the fully recovered guest bid farewell to Joan and her son, his eyes moist with emotion:

- Joan! Richard! In this house I found true friends. I shall never forget you. May Jesus bless you. You can always count on me.

During that week, they were able to strengthen ties of friendship and Gene could not help but remember:

- Were it not for the insistence of Richard, we would not have gotten to know you, Saul. Thanks to my son, we could act like true Christians, because we should never judge by appearances.

Saul hugged the boy he became very fond of and said:

- Richard, you will always be very dear to my heart. Your father has my address and, in any situation, at any time, if you need anything, remember that you have a friend willing to help you.

They exchanged a long and affectionate embrace, and then Gene and Saul departed in a cloud of dust.

With that farewell, the boy understood he would never regret acting with goodness and that he had won a friend for life, thanks to the lessons of Jesus!

He concluded to himself, full of faith:

- If we're helping a brother in need, what can we fear? Jesus will protect us from any danger!...
 

MEIMEI
 

(Psychographed by Celia X. de Camargo on 16/07/2012.)