Marcelo and Boss

The truck arrived at the farm, brought Marcelo and his father back from the city where they had gone shopping.

Marcelo arrived hungry and went straight to the kitchen, where his mother had already set the table with a delicious snack. He ate cake, juice and made a huge sandwich, the way he liked it, with a lot of filling.

He took the lunch to eat on the porch where the cool breeze calmed the heat.

Boss, his dog, seeing him from far away, came running, wagging his tail, glad he had returned.

They were inseparable friends. They played, walked and even slept together. Boss was big, cute and strong; he ran all over the farm with Marcelo. He roared to protect him from strangers, accepted all the jokes and rides that the boy invented and since it was a puppy he had a bed to sleep in the room with Marcelo.

- I'm here, Boss! Said the boy, stroking the dog which jumped on him with joy.

His father, who was still unloading his groceries, when saw Marcelo asked him to bring some boxes into the kitchen. The boy helped and quickly they unloaded everything.

Marcelo had left the plate with the sandwich on the porch table, but when he returned to pick it up, he had a surprise: the plate was empty and Boss, next to him, licked the last crumbs on the floor, wagging his tail satisfied.

- Boss! - Yelled Marcelo angrily - You ate my sandwich! You traitor. You knew it was mine. I'm not your friend anymore!

He shoved the dog that was coming to him, and ran out, trying to leave Boss behind.

Marcelo was annoyed for not eaten the snack and for the attitude of the dog, because he was disappointed with him.

Marcela Prada

Extraído da revista on line O Consolador

The Homeless Boy

  

Tired of staying inside, Celso went out into the garden. He liked to stand by the front gate watching the street, the movement of the cars and the people passing by.   That was when Celso saw on the other side of the street a sad-faced boy sitting on the curb. He was dirty, miserable and barefoot. Celso felt sorry for the boy who seemed to be about his age: eight years-old. He opened the gate, crossed the street and went to where the boy was. Approaching him, he asked: - Hello! Can I sit here with you? The boy raised his head to see who was speaking and was surprised to see another boy his size. He shrugged his shoulders as if to say: Sit down. The street is public! Celso sat down and began to talk to him. - Why are you so sad? - Why do you want to know? - replied the stranger with another question. And Celso pointed with his finger: - See that house there? That's where I live. I was watching the street and I saw you looking so sad that I could not stop myself from coming here. What happened? The boy took a deep breath and said: - It's a long story. My mother died and then my father desperate abandoned me. He went out into the world and I do not know where he is. I was sent to an aunt's house but I was left so hungry and suffered so much abuse that I could not take it anymore and ran away. Now I have nowhere to go and I'm living in the streets. When I'm hungry, I ask for food at the neighbouring houses. To sleep, I hide somewhere like under a bridge or an abandoned house. Celso felt very sorry for the boy. He never thought there were children like him suffering so much! - Do not move. I'm going to my house and I'll be right back! - he said to the boy. He made a sandwich, poured a glass of milk with coffee1 and returned to the boy, handing them to him. The boy's eyes sparkled when he saw the food. He devoured everything and then thanked Celso: - Thank you. I was really hungry! And I do not even know your name! - Celso. What about yours? - and he held out his hand towards the other boy. - My name is Louis! You're cool, Celso! The two of them began to talk. After a while, their friendship became so strong that Celso wished he could help Louis. So he asked Louis to wait again and returned to his house. Celso had seen his father come home after work. He walked up to him and asked: - Dad, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine. Come with me!   The father was tired but agreed and accompanied his son. Then Celso showed him: - Look, Daddy! That kid across the street needs help! The father looked at the boy sitting by the curb and reacted in surprise: - But, son! He's a homeless kid!... Celso had his eyes moist so he turned to his father and considered: - Dad, you were talking about Jesus the other day, and you said that we should love all people because they are our brothers, remember?   - You’re right, son. But we do not know who this boy is! He may have bad habits, he may even be used to stealing!... How can we trust someone we don’t know? - said the father, shaken by his son's argument. The boy thought for a moment then pondered again: - Dad, but if good people do not protect the bad ones, how can we exercise brotherhood? The father, defeated by his son's new argument and moved by the greatness of his soul, embraced him and agreed: - You’re right, son. If we consider ourselves Christians, we have to act as Jesus taught us. They crossed the street and Celso's father talked a little with Louis, then he invited the boy: - Louis, we want you to come to our house. - Sir, I thank you for your kindness. But you do not know me, you do not even know who I am! -replied the boy, unable to believe his ears. As he heard these words, Celso's father responded with emotion: - I do not need to know you to realise you're a good boy. You will stay with us for as long as you want. You will go to school with Celso and have the life of every boy your age. If you ever hear from your father and choose to be with him, you will be free to do so. I'll do whatever I can to help you. They crossed the street and, before entering the gate, happy but still undecided, Louis wanted to know: - Sir, but what about Celso's mother? Will she agree? - I'm sure she will. Do not worry. They entered the house and the father explained the situation to his wife. When she saw the new guest, she smiled and hugged him. Then she asked Celso to grab some of his clothes for Louis so he could take a shower while she finished preparing dinner. Half an hour later, Louis, now clean, well dressed and wearing new sneakers and alongside Celso entered the living room where the meal would be served. Everyone was happy. The father told the new member of the family: - In the name of Jesus, welcome to our home!   MEIMEI (Psychographed by Célia Xavier de Camargo on 19/03/2012.)   1 In some parts of Brazil, it is quite common for kids to have sweetened milk and coffee to drink as part of breakfast or with a snack. - Translator’s note.

The Curse Word

Two brothers were playing in the backyard when they had a disagreement. Three year-old Caio thought that he was the only one who should enjoy and ride their bicycle. Nine year-old Felipe wanted to play too but his little brother would not let him. Losing his temper, Felipe shouted: - You are... you are... I cannot play with you! You’re really uncomprehending!Enough! I will not play with you any more! Caio, not understanding that word began to cry and shout for his mother who was working in the kitchen: - Mommy!... Mommy!... Felipe is cursing! And Caio cried so much that his mother left the kitchen and came to the backyard where her kids were. Wondering what had happened, she asked Felipe, who was amused with the fact that his brother thought he had cursed, and while laughing turned to his mother to say: - Mom, nothing happened! Caio thinks I said a bad word! - and he continued laughing. - And you did not? - asked his surprised mother. - Of course not!... I said that Caio was un- comprehending! He did not understand it and did not like it! That's why he's crying. The mother restrained her own laughter so as not to make her youngest kid even more irritated, then explained as she put him in her lap: - Caio, dear, what your brother called you is not a dirty word. It's a big word but it means you did not understand what he explained. That’s it! - No! - yelled the little one, irritated. - I understood it! He wanted to curse at me! I will not play with him either! Felipe approached his brother, hugged him and tried to talk to Caio but he hid his face in his mother's lap, as to not see his brother. So Felipe walked away to do his homework. Some time later, he was in his bedroom doing his homework when someone knocked on the door. He opened it and saw little Caio wanting to enter. - What do you want, Caio? I can’t play. I'm doing my homework. - Ah! What is it? - asked the little one. - I have school stuff to do and if I do not do it, I'll get bad grades. - Why? - Because my teacher will think I do not know how to do the assignments and give me a low grade. Simple as that! - Ah!... If that's all there is to it, you can play with me now and... Felipe looked at Caio, who seemed to regret having quarrelled with him, and said: - Caio, I can’t now. Go play with your dog, with your toys, with your friends. I cannot play now!... The little one hung his head, sad and almost crying. Felipe, seeing his condition, felt sorry and stooped down to comfort his little brother: - Caio, dude, I'm not mad at you. I just have more im- portant things to do now and cannot play. Do you understand? -The little boy nodded his head, showing that he understood and left the room feeling very sad. Their mother, who cleaned the living room, saw Caio upset and asked what had happened to which the little one answered: - It’s just that Felipe cannot play with me. Can you play with me, Mom? The mother took him in her lap and explained that she could not play now because she was too busy with the household chores, but that as soon as she was finished she would play with him. - No one can play with me! - cried Caio, looking at his shoes. The mother, sorry for him, looked around and invited him to help her with the cleaning, stating that right after it she would play with him. - If you help me, we'll be done soon! Caio accepted and very seriously took a broom and began to sweep the floor. Right then, his little dog entered the room and barked, pulling at the hem of his pants, but the little boy looked serious at the puppy and said: - Toto, I cannot play now! I'm busy with very important work! When I'm done, I'll play with you. And, with a serious face, feeling valued, he grabbed his broom again and resumed sweeping, saying: - I also have chores, don’t I, Mom? - Of course, honey! You're little but you sweep very well. Congratulations!... Soon you will be able do other more important tasks. You're really growing up! And with a broom in his hand, Caio felt much better and valued. When his father arrived home from work, he saw his youngest son sweeping the entrance of the house and invited him: - Caio, would you like to play with Daddy? Very serious, he lifted his head, looked at his father firmly and replied: - Dad, now I can’t. I'm working. When I finish my job, we can play, okay?  MEIMEI (Psychographed by Célia X. de Camargo on 31/10/2016.)

An Unexpected Encounter

At the time Jesus was walking the Earth, a man longed to follow the prophet who was said to be the one who came to save the Jews from the yoke of the Romans, their conquerors and tyrants. So whenever Joshua heard that the Rabbi was somewhere nearby, he would run to that place in the hopes of seeing Him. But as he arrived he always got the information that the Prophet was no longer there. And Joshua kept trying even though unable to find Him. One day, feeling disheartened, he was sitting pensive on a tree trunk. Why was it that only him could not see the Prophet and meet with Him? He lacked feeling loved, he wanted his heart to fill with affection. However, he himself did not love anyone. And Joshua went on talking to himself: "I never had the love of a family. From an early age I was raised by a kind woman who welcomed me into her home after the death of my parents. I grew up feeling a great emptiness in my heart. And so I wanted to see the Rabbi, for I was told that all the pain, all the anguish, found in him the perfect medicine.” At that moment, letting bitter tears spring from his eyes, he saw a man coming. The man’s presence charmed him. He was tall. He must had walked a lot, for his sandals were dirty with the dust of the roads. He was dressed simply in a light tunic and his gestures were delicate. His hair, fashioned in the Nazarene style, fell on his shoulders and in his beautiful countenance there was a tender sadness. As he looked into those eyes, Joshua was drawn to the stranger whose presence filled him with peace. Unable to speak, Joshua motioned to him to sit by his side. The man sat down, then asked:   - Why are you here, Joshua?   That voice stirred Joshua as if calming his inner self. -I’m looking for the Prophet, sir – he said while delighted with that presence. -And why are you looking for him? – the stranger asked. The stranger looked at him for some time then said - Joshua, hope is not an empty word and does not represent lack of activity. It is constant self-work and requires clear and continuous focus to achieve the goal we seek.   - I know, sir, and I believe I have had the patience to attain what I desire.   Hearing these words, the stranger replied:   - But patience, Joshua, represents peaceful determination to achieve what we want. So, if you really want to reach your goals, work tirelessly keeping the light of love above all else. Devote yourself to those around you and you will be blessed.   - Sir, I, however, need love. I miss the affection of a family and friends...   And the stranger went on in an unforgettable tone of voice:   - And what have you done so far to get that love?   - I’ve been traveling the roads to see if I can find someone who can love me.   Then the celestial stranger answered him:   - Until you learn to give love, you will receive nothing back. It is the Divine Law. Give of yourself to the needy on the road and you will get what you want. Learn from the crystalline water that flows and quenches the thirst of the travellers, without ever charging for its generosity. The shadow of the night is overcome by the day that brings light. This is how we must act. Take advantage of every moment as a blessing sent by God for the progress of all creatures.   - Yes, sir. I will do as you say. But who are you who speaks with wisdom and whose voice produces great well-being and the desire to follow you always, never leaving you?   The stranger rose and, before moving away, murmured:   - I am Jesus!...   Hearing His name, Joshua stood still, unable to move. When he realised that he was missing the opportunity of his life, he ran to reach the Master but could not find Him anymore.   Then, reflecting on everything he had heard from Jesus’ mouth, Joshua understood that he needed to change and become someone worthy to follow the Prophet of Nazareth.   From that day on, wherever he went, Joshua seized the opportunity to work with love, without missing the chance to speak to the people, to help and aid them, sure that that would make him worthy to someday be a follower of Jesus of Nazareth. MEIMEI (Message psychographed by Celia X. de Camargo on 20/10/2014.)   http://www.oconsolador.com.br/ano10/496/criancas_ingles.html Spiritism for Kids - Célia Xavier Camargo