Theme: Charity and happiness

The generous bunnies

Winter was coming fast that year. The icy wind chilled all the animals in the forest. In addition, strong gusts of wind swayed the tree branches, threatening to overturn the birds' nests.

Lili the rabbit and her daughter Lolita had warm clothes and a well-protected den, but they worried about the other animals, who might be having problems.

For this reason, every day, they dressed warmly and left the house with a basket of food and some clothes that they sewed themselves and went visiting their friends and neighbors, asking if everyone was okay.

One day, they went to the squirrel family's house and found the mother squirrel very distressed. She said that Daddy Squirrel had left the house the day before in search of food but had not returned. She was very worried, and the little squirrels were crying for food.

Lili hugged mother squirrel tenderly, telling her that they were there to help her and that everything would be fine.

Lili and Lolita took out several seeds from the basket and distributed them to the children and mother squirrel too. They loved it, ate it all and hunger was gone.

Lolita invented a game to entertain the puppies while the mothers talked.

Then Lili called everyone for a pray. She asked, with great faith, for God's protection for that family and for Papa Squirrel, wherever he was. All together also said the “Our Father” prayer.

After the prayer, the children went back playing.

Lili told mommy squirrel that she was going to look for information about daddy squirrel in the forest and later she would come back with more food, since her friend couldn't leave the house and leave the puppies, still so small, alone.

The two hugged and the mother squirrel thanked Lili and Lolita for their kindness.

As the bunnies were getting ready to leave, the door´s house opened. They saw, surprised and very happy, the daddy squirrel, who had just arrived home.

He was dirty and tired. He explained that he had climbed to the top of a tree to get food, but the wind was strong and suddenly the tree fell. He wasn't hurt, as he fell down among the leaves, but he got caught between the branches and couldn't get out from it.

Daddy Squirrel called for help, but no one listened. Tired, he had to spend the night among the foliage and branches.

It wasn't until the next day that some animals approached to take a closer look at the huge tree that had fallen to the ground, and it was when they heard him, and he managed to be rescued.

The squirrels hugged each other happily. Lili and Lolita were moved watching that scene of reunion and relief.

Everything ended well. The bunnies said goodbye and left.

On the way, Lili said:

– Lolita, it's very important that we help people when they need it. Some people miss the opportunity to do charity because they leave it for later. If we are willing, God can use us as His instruments. Isn't it wonderful?

– Yes mom. I really enjoyed handing the seeds over to the squirrels and then watching them play happily. Glad we were able to help them. I was very happy today! – said Lolita.

Lili smiled contentedly. Her little daughter comprehended that charity is the way, not only for happiness of those who receive it, but also for those who practice it.

(Adaptation of the book “Lili e Lolita”, by Regina Timbó.)

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com