Playing School

One day, George, aged nine, was playing school with his younger brother Philip and wanted to force him to do some homework. They were playing that George was the teacher and Philip the student. However, the little boy could not do anything that George told him. At one point, irritated with the ignorance of the student, George took a ruler and hit Philip, who screamed. - What happened? - their mother asked as she came from the kitchen, frightened.

And George, angry, explained:

- Mom, Philip can't do anything that I tell him... We are playing school but he's not a good student! He will get a zero!

The mother understood the situation and was sorry to see the sad, frightened and teary face of her youngest son. She kindly took him in her arms and calmed him:

- Don't cry, honey. When you are bigger, you will know how to do all of this!
 And, turning to the other, she explained:

- George, your brother cannot do the things he hasn't learned yet! You have to be patient with him. After all, you are only playing, right?

- But the other day, Mom, you said that Jesus taught us that "much will be asked of those whom much is given". So, I'm teaching Philip to help him to learn more!

The mother smiled at the child's intent and explained:

- George, undoubtedly those are the words of Jesus but they refer to those who are able to accomplish something, which is not Philip's case yet because he is still little! For example: What if I say a sentence and ask you to write it on paper. Can you do it? - Of course I can. Have you forgotten that I can write? - said the boy laughing at his mother's question. - That's right. But what if I ask you to solve a maths problem from the 8th grade. Could you do it just as

easily?

The boy giggled and replied:

- Of course not, Mom. I'm still in the 4th grade!...

The gentle mother agreed with a nod and pondered:

- So we got exactly to the point that Jesus wanted to teach us, darling. That each one of us can only do what we have learned. So, much will be asked of those whom much is given. That is, those who know more are in a better position to give more and to accomplish larger tasks. Got it? And this principle works for everyone, in any situation they may be.

- Ah! I got it! You mean Dad works with cars because he understands well how they work, right?

- Exactly, George. And to do the house chores?

- It has to be someone who knows cleaning, washing, ironing, cooking etc.

- That's right, George! But the lesson of Jesus goes further. He refers not only to the things of the material world but also to our needs of a moral nature.

- What do you mean, Mom?

- I'll explain. To carry out any activity, we need to have knowledge on the subject, be it to be a doctor and to be a home builder. And in order to deal with feelings, is it not necessary to learn about them too?

The boy thought for a moment, then suggested:

- I think so. A few moments ago, I treated Philip poorly and now I regret it. What do I do now?

- You already gave the answer, sweetheart. When you said that you hurt your little brother, you admitted that you regret it and that is the way of learning. But you could have argued with someone and gotten your feelings hurt, holding a grudge...

George went back to being thoughtful, remembering something, then he said:

- Mom, the other day our neighbour, Felix, scolded me then screamed and said very ugly things. At the time, I was mad at him but now it passed and I would not like to lose his friendship. I confess that I did get hurt, but now, talking to you Mom, I think I should go to him and make up. What do you think?

The kind mother hugged him fondly and said:

- See, honey, how we can improve? It is precisely what the Master taught us: much will be asked of those whom much is given! If you are in a position to understand the situation and to excuse your friend, it is because you have understood that, according to the Gospel of Jesus, we must always act with love, forgiving and excusing all offences.

George opened a big smile and looking at his little brother who listened blankly, asked:

- Philip, may I go to Felix' house to make up with him? Then I will come back and we can continue playing school. All right?

- All right. But do not fight with me, George! - said the little one with some trepidation.

George approached him and gave him a big warm hug, then nodded:

- No, Philip. I will not fight with you anymore. We will play school but I will only teach you things you have the condition to understand, OK?

Then, waving to his mother and Philip, he opened the door and left. He went to solve the problem that was bothering him. He was happy and satisfied with his decision.

Remembering to pray, he asked:

- Help me, Jesus, so that everything goes right!...
 

 MEIMEI

(Psychographed by Celia X. de Camargo on 02/01/2015.)