The power of understanding

One of Jonas’s toy had disappeared. Annoyed, suspecting that his brother Lucas, just three years old, was to blame, shouted:

- Lucas, return my new red car.

- I don’t know where it is. I didn’t get your cart.  - answered the little one.

- Yes, you did. Tell me where you hid him, Lucas!

But the little boy kept repeating, stamping his foot and crying:

- I didn’t, I didn’t, I didn’t.

Seeing the confusion and Lucas in tears, the mother takes the little one in the lap and says to the eldest son:

- Jonas, my son, you are already eleven and you cannot quarrel with your little brother. If Lucas says he didn’t, believe it. Look it correctly and you will find your toy.

Snorting with anger, Jonas leaves the room and begins to look for the car. He looked it in the bedroom, the backyard, the porch, the living room, and even the bathroom. Nothing of his favorite toy.

Without knowing where else to look, Jonas entered the office and, looking at his father's bookshelf, thought: It can only be there!

He took all the books off the shelf.

When his father arrived at home at dusk, he was scared. He found Jonas lost in the middle of the books, disappointed.

- What happened, son? - He asked, surprised.

- I was looking for my car, Dad.

- In the middle of my books? And did you find it?

- No, dad.

- Well. Now, put the books back.

- But, Daddy! I'm tired! - Complained the boy, grimacing.

With much patience, the father considered:

- Jonas, you made the mess. So, you have to pack up everything by putting the books in place! You can start now, otherwise you will not finish until bedtime.

They did not see that little Lucas had entered, hiding behind the table, and listened to the conversation.

As soon as their father left the room, Lucas asked on his way:

- Do you want some help, Jonas?

With a large pile of books in his arms, which he could barely carry, his brother replied sullenly:

- You?! Get out of here, you little brat! You do not have the strength to carry such heavy books. Now let me work!

It was not long, Jonas was exhausted. He decided to stop for a while to rest and have a snack, but he was so tired that he sat on the sofa of the living room in front of the television and ended up dozing off.

When he woke up, he was scared!

- Oh my God, I fell asleep and I did not finish my dad's books!

He ran into the office and had a big surprise.

It seemed like a miracle! Although a bit scruffy, the books were all in place!

- Who did that? - He asked quietly, unable to believe it.

A cheerful, clear voice answered:

- It was me!

It was Lucas, satisfied with his service, carrying the last book.

- How could you do that, Lucas? They are very heavy! How could you carry a pile of books?

- Well, I didn’t carry a pile of books. I took it one by one!

Jonas stared at his brother, amazed at the work he had done. He realized that he had despised little Lucas's help, thinking he was incapable of. But his little brother had proved he could do the job. He certainly could not carry a great weight, but he had used his little head and transported the books slowly.

Jonas approached his brother and hugged him affectionately.

- Lucas, today you have shown me that we can always accomplish what we want. It is enough that we have good will and creativity. Thank you, little brother.

The parents, who were passing by at that moment and stopped to observe the scene, were also pleased to see the brothers embraced and in peace.

Smiling, her mother considered:

- For the lesson to be completed, there's still one thing missing, Jonas. Remember your red car? I have found it, my son. It was in the middle of your clothes, in the closet.

Blushing with embarrassment, Jonas turned to his brother and said:

- Lucas, I do not know how to apologize for the way I acted. Today, I judged you wrongly and made a mistake, twice. Also, you have shown that you are small in size but have a big heart. Despite being mistreated by me, endured my bad mood, my irritation, forgot everything and when you saw that I was in trouble, you helped me with joy, performing a task that was mine. Can you forgive me?

The little boy hugged Jonas with a broad smile:

- Of course! Will you take me for a walk tomorrow?

Everyone laughed, pleased to be part of a family that had problems like any other, but above all was happy, because there was understanding, generosity and love among all.

TIA CÉLIA
 

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