Theme: Intimate makeover

The ladybug and the butterfly

Once upon a time there was a ladybug and a butterfly who lived in a big garden.

They were neighbors and had very similar habits, but they were very different in their way of being.

The ladybug was happy. She always had a smile on her face. She was kind to others. Not the butterfly! She was sullen, thought badly of everything and argued for any reason.

The other animals in the garden liked to meet the ladybug and talk to her. With the butterfly it was the opposite. They even avoided her. Sometimes they pretended they hadn't seen her go by so they wouldn't have to deal with her bad mood or listen to her complain about something.

The butterfly understood the situation and that was also a reason to get bored and think everyone was bad. So, one day, when she found the ladybug, she said in a serious tone:

– Ladybug, I really wanted to meet you to ask you something. You are always there with that little smile. Nothing bad happens to you? Only to me? Don't you happen to get tired? Don't you get irritated with some and others who just do silly things? Your life must be much more peaceful than mine, because practically every day things happen that annoy me.

The ladybug, even knowing the way of the butterfly, did not expect those questions, so she thought a little and then replied:

- Good morning, butterfly. Of course, I have problems too, like everyone else. Today I hit my wing on a stick, and it hurt a lot. Because I can't fly much, I still haven't eaten and I'm hungry. I asked the ant for help, but she couldn't stop her work to help me. But… despite that - she continued - I know that all this will pass. And if unpleasant things happen, good ones also happen. I have confidence in God, who knows everything about me and takes care of me closely. Soon things will get better. So, I don't waste time putting myself down. Everything is fine!

- But until things get better, don't you feel like complaining? - asked the butterfly.

- Sometimes I do - replied the ladybug. - But most of the time I manage to control myself and I don't complain, because I've already learned that it doesn't help anything, on the contrary, it only makes things worse.

- So, I guess I need to learn to control myself more, too. Because anything that bothers me, I let it out, I complain, I get nervous, I end up upsetting or even offending others.

The ladybug, who was very knowledgeable about things in life, explained to the butterfly that the only real problems we have are not the things that happen to us, but our bad attitudes.

- When we harm someone - she said - we attack, offend, it is not honest. So, yes, we have a problem. But if we don't do anything wrong, our clear conscience is already a good reason to be at peace, to feel good, don't you think?

The butterfly thought for a while and ended up agreeing. After the conversation, she helped the ladybug by bringing her water and food. After all, the ladybug had taught her very important things.

After that day, the butterfly struggled and managed to improve a lot. She began to get along well with others and with the little things that happened in everyday life. Over time, she felt much happier and became, in addition to being a beautiful neighbor, a smiling and helpful friend for all the animals in the garden.

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com