A letter to Daddy

Charlie was worried. Father's Day was fast approaching and he had not decided yet what to give to this father. He tried to get a hint by asking in a disguised way:

- Dad, what is it that you do not have and would like to have?

- I have everything I need, son. Also, I have a wonderful family that is my treasure. I feel accomplished. I do not need anything else.

Charlie felt frustrated. He still had the same problem: deciding what gift to give to his father. The boy went into the kitchen and talked to his mother, wondering what he could give his father on Father's Day. His mother smiled as she stirred the pots and said: - Use your imagination, Charlie. Observe what your father says, what he does, and maybe you will find out what he wants.

The boy left the kitchen with a confused little head. He wanted someone to tell him what he should give his dad. Charlie scratched his head, worried.

Then he left home to window shop. There were many suggestions but all of them would cost a lot of money and even if he cleaned out his piggy bank, he would be able to afford anything. He returned home feeling anguished. All he could think of was what to give to his father on Sunday.

The next day, arriving at school he realized that all his friends had the same problem.

So they asked their teacher, who suggested:

- It is very difficult to find this answer, Miss!

- Why don't you start thinking of your life, such as your relationship with your parents, your siblings, your neighbours? What does your father say all the time and you are tired of hearing? How would he like you to be? - she suggested with a smile.

- I think I understand, Miss. You mean that perhaps what our fathers want most is something that cannot be bought in stores, right? - Charlie said, surprised.

- Exactly, Charlie. Something you will not need to spend money to buy but make them even happier. Our lesson today will be reserved for this task.

They exchanged glances with each other, amazed and delighted. Then each one began to write it down in a notebook.

Charlie went back home in his thoughts. He and his sister Diana were always fighting, and his father would get angry saying he wanted to come home and have peace. Then Charlie remembered that he would leave everything out of place and his father complained about that too. He did not like if people messed with his stereo; or when his mother would tell him to bathe and Charlie did not obey. The more he thought, the more things he remembered.

So, Charlie wrote a letter to his father, talking about how he loved him and how much he wanted to see him happy. Thus he promised to no longer make his dad sad or angry for doing something wrong.

After they were all finished, their teacher suggested:

	- Now, let's just make a very beautiful card, put in what you have written and hand it over to your dad! The boys were happy. They had solved the problem that bothered them so much. So early Sunday morning, Charlie prepared a very tasty breakfast for his dad, with his mother's help. He put everything on a tray, with the beautiful card that he had made, and took it to
his father, who was still lying in bed.

Charlie called him:

- Dad!

- What is it, Charlie? - his father asked as he saw him.

- Nothing, Dad. I came to wish you a happy Father's Day! Congratulations, Daddy!

Charlie put the tray on the nightstand and gave his father a big warm hug.

- I brought you a delicious breakfast, Dad.

- Thank you, son! I love the idea! Ah!... And what a beautiful card!

His father picked up the card, read it, and was moved. He then hugged his son with immense love and with his voice choked with tears said:

- I'm proud of you, Charlie! You are the best son in the world!

His sister, who had also come to greet her father, saw the scene and joined them. They all ended up in a big hug.

Charlie smirked, puffing his chest and thinking:

"This is the best Father's Day we have ever had!"

MEIMEI

(Psychographed by Celia X. de Camargo on 29/07/2013.)