Eight year old
Roy was very
worried.
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Without the
proper
authorization,
he borrowed the
brand new
portable stereo
system his
father had
recently bought
to take to
school. He
wanted to
impress his
friends.
On the way back,
as he had a lot
to carry, his
backpack
suddenly slipped
off from his arm
and
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 |
|
the
precious
stereo
system
fell to
the
ground. |
|
Roy got
terrified and
could not wait
to get to his
house because he
wanted to test
the device and
see if it was
working fine.
Unfortunately it
wasn't. It was
broken.
Full of fear, he
waited for his
father to
arrive. As soon
as Gerald got
home from work
he went straight
to the sound
system to play
it. Nothing. It
did not work.
- What happened
to this unit? -
he asked,
serious.
Trembling with
fear and hanging
his head, Roy
confessed
shakily:
- I was the one
who broke it,
dad.
And, under his
father's
watchful gaze,
Roy explained
what had
happened, ending
by saying:
- I know it was
wrong, dad, but
I did not mean
to cause you any
hurt. I
apologize.
Gravely, the
father
considered:
- You told me
the truth, son,
and this is very
good. But do you
understand what
you did? This
device costed me
a lot of money
and now I do not
have the
resources to
send it to be
repaired. I
accept your
apology, but
this is not
enough. To be
fair, you should
pay for the
damage with your
allowance.
With a crying
face, the boy
exclaimed:
- But I have no
more money, dad!
I spent it all!
Forgive me...
just this once.
I promise you I
will never
borrow anything
without asking
again! - and he
began to cry,
afraid of his
father's
reaction.
However, full of
compassion, the
father looked at
his son who
seemed truly
repentant and
decided to give
him another
chance.
- Okay, Roy.
This time I will
forgive you
because I know
it was an
accident, you
had no ill
intent. However,
may this never
happen again!
The boy hugged
his father,
happy and
grateful.
Relieved, he
went outside to
play, content
with his luck.
On the street,
he saw a
neighbour whom
he had lent two
marbles a few
days before. It
was just a
little six
year-old boy.
Roy demanded
that the boy
gave back the
marbles.
Frightened, the
boy replied:
- I do not have
them, Roy. I
lost them at
school. As soon
as my dad gives
me money, I'll
buy you others.
But Roy was
enraged and
indignant.
Angry, he
shouted at Roger
who was much
smaller than
him:
- You are a
rascal. You
promised to
return my
marbles and
failed. You'll
pay me anyway!
- No, Roy, do
not hit me! I
promise I'll
pay! As soon as
I can!
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But Roy did not
care. He wanted
the marbles now.
And he charged
at the little
boy with
clenched fists.
As he was bigger
and stronger,
Roger was in
serious danger.
A young woman
who worked as a
maid at Roy's
house and was
sweeping the
sidewalk at the
time, saw the
fight and ran
inside,
distressed, to
tell her boss
what was
happening.
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Gerald ran to
the street just
in time to see
his son grabbing
the small boy
and threatening
him:
- Either you pay
me now or you
will get the
beating of your
life!
Gerald got in
the middle of
the fight and
separated the
two to the
surprise and
disappointment
of Roy who just
then saw his
father.
Looking at his
son and very
disappointed,
Gerald spoke
energetically:
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- Is that what
you learned from
me, Roy? I just
forgave your big
debt! Couldn't
you have
compassion and
do the same to
your friend who
owed you a
pittance?
Head down,
silent, and
extremely
embarrassed Roy
heard the
dressing down
from his father,
who continued:
- When I arrived
here, I did not
recognize my
son. Your
attitude was
different:
arrogant, proud,
insolent.
|
|
Do you
think it
is fair
to
threaten
a child
who is
much
smaller
than
you? |
In tears and
terrified, Roy
pleaded:
- Forgive me,
dad. It will not
happen again.
With an
uncompromising
expression,
Gerald
concluded:
- It really
won't. Now,
apologize to
Roger for your
aggressive
behaviour. Later
on, we'll have a
talk. To amend
your mistake,
you will have to
pay me back the
repair of the
stereo with your
allowance.
- But I told you
I have no money,
dad!
- It does not
matter. I will
wait. It will
take you at
least eight
months, but you
deserve this
lesson. During
this period, you
won't be able to
buy anything.
And so, Roy
finally learned
that he should
be compassionate
with others as
he would like to
be treated, and
forgive as he
would like to be
forgiven.
Aunt Celia
