Louie, a loving
and intelligent
boy, was always
happy.
He played with
his neighbour
Carmen every day.
They were both
six and liked to
be together but
did not always
get along
because they had
very different
personalities.
While Louie was
always happy and
contented,
Carmen was
demanding,
selfish and
moody.
When Carmen
wanted to play
house, Louie
would readily
agree and be
satisfied. But
when Louie
suggested a game
or to play ball,
Carmen would not
accept it and
would get grumpy.
Because he was
calm and gentle,
Louie would end
up agreeing with
his friend.
One day they
were playing at
Carmen's home
when her mother
called:
- Kids, come in
and wash your
hands to have a
snack!
Obedient, Louie
immediately
stopped what he
was doing and
got ready to go
inside to answer
the call. Carmen,
aggravated, got
up unwillingly:
- Right when we
are playing, Mom!
I do not want to
wash my hands
and do not want
to eat! - she
complained
tearfully.
The boy took his
little friend's
hand and lead
her into the
kitchen. Looking
at the set table,
where a
beautiful and
appetizing cake
awaited, Louie
said:
- Look, Carmen,
what a tasty
snack your
mother fixed for
us. Let's go to
the bathroom to
wash our hands.
Carmen was
almost dragged.
Then they sat
around the small
table while dona1 Dina
served chocolate
milk and cut the
cake, giving a
slice to each
one.
 |
Louie drank the
milk and ate the
piece of cake
with
satisfaction
while Carmen
complained:
- I like that
other cake, Mom.
That chocolate
one covered in
sauce.
- Carmen, this
cake that your
mother made is
delicious! Dona
Dina, may I have
another piece? -
said the boy.
With a smile,
the lady cut the
cake and
|
|
while
serving him
considered: |
|
- Louie, I
noticed that you
are very
different from
my daughter. You
are always
cheerful,
contented, and I
have never seen
you complain
about anything.
Why?
The boy thought
for a moment and
he raising his
little head,
said:
- It's because I
learned from my
mother that we
must always be
grateful to God
for all He gives
us.
Always the one
contradicting,
Carmen replied:
- Oh yeah?! And
what has God
given us?
- Everything -
the boy replied,
calmly.
- Everything?
And as Carmen
stood there with
her mouth
opened, he
explained:
- Yes. Who was
it that gave us
life? And our
little bodies
that take us
anywhere we
want? And our
families? And
the love of our
Mom and Dad? And
this beautiful
day and this
tasty cake,
and...
- But I always
had all of
those! - she
said.
- You have
always had them
because our
Father in Heaven
gave them to
you. Imagine
your life
without all
those things,
Carmen.
Dona Dina was
delighted. She
realized that
she had spoiled
her daughter too
much, which had
prevented her
from evaluating
the good things
she had as she
considered them
her right.
|
- Louie's right,
honey. Have you
ever thought of
those children
who are born
blind or who
can't walk?
Carmen became
thoughtful. The
boy agreed with
her mother.
- Your mom is
right, Carmen.
Remember that
time I was in
bed for a few
days and could
not play with
you or go to
school?
- I remember.
- It's because I
had hepatitis, a
serious illness.
I wanted to get
out of bed, to
play, to go to
school but could
not. I got angry.
My mom then told
me that soon I
would get better
as long as I
followed
|
 |
|
the
treatment
correctly. The
more I
collaborated,
the faster I
would be fine.
She said that my
complaints, my
bad mood and my
tears would not
help at all; on
the contrary,
they would only
worsen my
condition. |
Carmen was
surprised. Louie
paused, then
concluded:
- My mom helped
me see all the
good that God
had given me and
I did not
realize. From
that day on I
started to value
more my health,
my body, my
family and a lot
of other things
that we take for
granted.
Carmen
understood that
her little
friend was right.
With a smile on
her face, she
looked at her
mother and said:
- Mom, I have
been a very
annoying
daughter, haven't
I? I'm going to
change. I would
like to be more
like my friend
Louie. Your cake
is delicious.
Can I have
another piece?
Aunt Celia
1 In
Brazilian
society, Dona is
a term of
respect that is
used with the
woman's first
name.
