Do you know what
loneliness is?

— Well, the sky is blue, no clouds, and the sun is shining inviting us to live, to do something good and useful for us and for our neighbor! – said the mother surprised by his odd answer. He felt even angrier when he heard his mother’s words, and muttered:

— This does not interest me. I would like to enjoy the day to play with my friends, however, those who live nearby travelled. What will I do all day? I feel lonely, no one around!

And there were tears in his eyes.

Feeling sorry for him, his mother dropped the broom, and sat next to her son, and said softly:

— My son, you are a boy with a perfect health, you live in a good house, and have a loving family. Moreover, your father works hard so we lack for nothing. Don’t you think you are ungrateful with all the blessings that God has given you?

Thinking better, the boy answered:

— I know our life is good, mother, but there are times when I feel very lonely…

The mother looked at her son, who had everything and who thought he had nothing, and compassionately said:

— Ah, my son! Do you know what it is to be lonely?

— I do know. It is when one feels alone.

— No, my son, loneliness is when we matter for no one. When we have no one to talk to, and to exchange ideas, someone who laughs at our jokes! You are surrounded by your family, friends, neighbors, classmates... There are people who, indeed, live alone! – said his mother and she felt like smiling when she heard this new word in her son’s vocabulary.

David thought for a while and, remembering a classmate, said:

— Mother, I just remembered Maria Julia, a girl in my class. She is so very poor and there are days when she does not go to school. I was told that she is always alone, because her parents work and she has no brothers or sisters! I feel very sorry for her...

— Where does she live, David?

— She lives far away, in a distant suburb. I know where it is, because I went there – answered the boy and he was thoughtful for a while.

— Mother, I am going to visit her. She is certainly sadder than I am!

The mother approved her son’s idea. He said goodbye and left running, passing the gate, and waving back at his mother, who followed him from the veranda with a contented smile. When he arrived at the suburb, David informed himself about the location of the house, and when he arrived there, he knocked at the door. No one answered. He was already leaving, when a little girl approached and said:

— You can enter! Only Maria Julia is home, and she cannot get up.

— Maria Julia, it is me, David! – He went in calling.

— I am in the room, David. Come in! – She answered.

He walked toward the direction of her voice and entered the room. She was lying in her bed.

Surprised, he asked what had happened, and she explained:
 

	— I am ill, David. That is why I have not gone to school. I cannot leave the house for a while. — And do you always stay alone? How do you eat? The girl smiled and answered: — My mother leaves something here on the bedside table for me. Look, I have
food, some fruit, water, and the medicines that I must take. I lack nothing, don’t worry!

David felt so sorry seeing her in that situation that he nearly cried. Then, controlling himself, he said that she must feel very lonely!

— No! I do not feel lonely! I am always reading a book, writing, or studying. Besides, I receive many visits of my friends, who live in this suburb. But from school, you are the first one! — She answered with a sad smile.

He understood that, although she had many schoolmates, she had no real friends, and he said:

— I am sorry, Maria Julia. How long have you been in bed?

— It is a month now. A friend of mine picks up the lessons with the teacher, and I study them alone, so that I do not fail this year.

David felt ashamed: for himself, for thinking that he was so unhappy, because he had no friends to play with on that day; for him and his classmates, who had never come to visit her. Ashamed too because of the way he complained to his mother, as if he was an unfortunate person. And with wet eyes, he said:

— Maria Julia, from today onwards, I will come and see you every day. I do like you so very much, my friend! – And he bent forward and embraced her, saying goodbye.

On the following day, he returned with the lessons to help her out, and a packet of biscuits and sweets. He also brought with him another two schoolmates to visit her and make her day happier.

Maria Julia thankfully embraced him because of his good will and affection:

— Thank you, David. You are a very special boy!    

MEIMEI 

(Received by Celia X. de Camargo, em 10/19/2015.)