An old man was
sitting on a
park resting
from his daytime
activities. With
satisfaction,
the old man was
inhaling the
scent of the
flowers when he
saw a fourteen
year-old young
man approach and
sit on a nearby
bench.
The ragged boy
looked sad and
discouraged.
What would the
kid be doing
outside at that
time? It was
evening and
people went by
rushing toward
their homes.
Pained, the kind
old man
approached him
conversationally.
Soon he learned
that the boy had
left home
wishing to live
on his own. Then
he asked the boy
with a calm
voice:
- Do you like
stories?
At a nod from
the boy, he
said:
- Well, I'll
tell you a story
that has been
told by Jesus
nearly two
thousand years
ago.
And the old man
began to tell it
while the boy
listened
intently:
 |
- A man had two
sons who were
his pride and
joy. One day the
younger one said
to his father:
Give me the part
of your wealth
that belongs to
me. The father,
on that request,
divided his
assets, giving
each child what
would be theirs
as their
inheritance. A
few days later,
the younger son
packed up and
left for a
distant country.
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|
Finding himself
free from
parental
authority, the
young man, who
was not very
wise, spent
everything he
had with drinks,
women and games.
When he realised
what he had done
it was too late.
He was in abject
poverty. He had
nowhere to sleep
or what to eat. |
At that time, a
major drought
hit the region
and hunger
spread out.
Without
resources, the
young man asked
to a man in that
country to whom
he told his
misadventures
for help, and
who feeling
sorry for the
young man, sent
him to his
fields to look
after his pigs.
|
The pigs fed on
carob seeds,
that is, the
fruit of a tree
called carob,
which are some
pods of fresh
and nutritious
pulp used to
feed animals.
However, not
even the pigs’
feed they gave
him, and he
became very
hungry. He then
remembered his
home and missed
his father very
much because he
had always been
very good to
him. He
regretted what
he had
done and
noted
that in
his
father's
|
 |
|
house
everybody
was well
cared
for and
lived
happily.
And he
right
then had
nothing
to eat!
So the
young
man made
a
decision: |
- I know what
I'll do. I will
come home and
say to my
father: Father,
I have sinned
against heaven
and you; I am no
longer worthy to
be called your
son. But if you
accept me, I
will be a simple
employee in your
home.
 |
Filling himself
with hope the
young man did
so. He returned
to his country
and to his home.
The trip was
difficult and
tiring, because
he did not have
any resources
for the travel
expenses. He did
not get
discouraged
though, and
firmly continued
his journey
home. His father
saw him from far
away and was
pained to see
the child's
state of misery.
Full of
compassion he
ran to meet him,
hugged him and
|
|
kissed
him
fondly. |
|
And the son said
to his father:
- Father, I have
sinned against
heaven and you
and am not
worthy to be
called your son.
I would be happy
if you accepted
me as an
employee of your
home.
The generous
father who had
never stopped
loving his son,
ordered the
employees:
- Bring the best
robe for my son!
Put a ring on
his finger and
sandals on his
feet. Let us
feast and be
glad, for my son
was lost and is
found, was dead
and is alive
again!
And so it was
done. When the
eldest son
returned from
the fields and
heard the sound
of music and
partying, he
asked one of the
servants what
was going on.
The servant
said: Your
brother returned
safely and your
father has
killed a fat cow
to celebrate his
return.
Angry and full
of jealousy, the
eldest son did
not enter the
home. His father
was told what
was happening,
and went to meet
with him, and
the son showed
his anger:
- Father! For
many years I
have served you,
making all your
wishes but I
have never
gotten even a
young goat to
celebrate with
my friends.
However, my
brother, who
spent his money
on pleasures, is
received with a
big party!...
The good father,
wanting to lead
him to kindness
and forgiveness,
told him:
- My son, you
are always with
me and all that
is mine is yours
too. But it's
just that we
rejoice with the
return of your
brother, who was
lost and is
found, was dead
and is alive
again to our
joy.
*
Night had fallen
completely and
slowly the
square lights
were lighting
up.
The old man fell
silent. The boy,
who had remained
thoughtful,
sighed. With an
air of deep
understanding,
he turned to the
old man,
whispering with
an emotional
voice:
- I got the
message. You
managed to
convince me. I
will return
home. My parents
must be
concerned about
my absence and I
know they will
be happy to see
me.
He stood up and
stretched out
his hand to the
old man
concluding with
tears in his
eyes:
- Thank you.
After all, there
is no better
place than our
home, and there
is no problem
that a little
understanding
and goodwill
cannot solve.
AUNT CÉLIA
