To awake and maintain the interest in a narrative, thus facilitating the learning process, is an art: the art of telling stories.
Jesus was a Master on that art. The biblical parables (stories describing daily situations for easier understanding, but with moral meaning) really touched the heart of the people, disseminating the message of love of the Christ.
Some of the stories presented below, were taken from the periodical Seara Espírita. This is a monthly journal, currently with 50,000 copies, maintained by the spiritist centre Grupo Espírita Seara do Mestre. Some other stories were created by evangelists and teachers for spiritist educational classes.
Click here to get know the journal Seara Espírita.
Our special thanks to volunteers who translated into the English language the stories presented here.
- Do you know the latest, Mr. Lion?
It was the ostrich. The animal was ‘sharing’ the news everyone in the zoo was talking about: the giraffe’s disappearance.
The Lion didn’t say anything. The giraffe was no longer at her yard by the time it was daylight. The animal disappeared without telling anyone. Each animal in the zoo had a different version of the story; they were all talking non-stop...
Some animals said the Giraffe was sick and tired of the boring life at the zoo; it decided to ran away. Some others said it was kidnapped. They even imagined the zoo would have to pay a high price to see the Giraffe once again (even if no one asked for any paying so far!)...
The Hippo was really good friend with the Giraffe; he was suffering a lot from all that talking that was going on at the zoo. He was imagining the danger his friend was going through. He even thought he might be the cause of his friend’s disappearance: What if he said something that hurt his friend, since she was quite sensitive? Maybe that’s why she ran away?
The Lion was a very sensate animal and realised the Hippo’s agony. He then called him to have a chat.
- Listen, my friend….. Be careful with what these animals talk about. No one has seen anything; no one knows for sure what happened. They don’t have much to do most of the time around here. The animals end up talking about others’ lives and coming up with abrupt conclusions, gossiping around...
They were abruptly interrupted by an ant who was jumping around; it wanted to be listened to:
- I saw it! I saw it! I saw a truck from the circus here at the zoo!
Everyone now started to talk constantly to one another. The animals were now sure: the disappearance of the Giraffe would now be sorted! It was now clear to them the Giraffe would now be sent to work at the circus! How did they not think of this option before? They started to spread around the news throughout the zoo.
The Hippo and the Lion stayed still. The Hippo was crying a little bit because his friend didn’t say good-bye to him….
For everyone’s surprise, the Giraffe appeared some time later. She then explained during the night she was taken to the dentist. Her mouth was anesthetized; she couldn’t speak much. Her tooth hurt a lot… The doctor of the zoo realised that and decided to take her away immediately.
And the Hippo believed in all that confusion created by the other animals of the zoo! He then understood what the Lion explained to him: It’s necessary to reflect a lot about what others talk to us first, instead of just assuming that to be right – otherwise, you might end up gossiping and lying around...
Letícia Müller
[Click here] to find drawings created by the spiritist teacher Cristina Chaves, from the Spiritist Society Casa do Caminho, Porto Alegre/RS.
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Have fun] [Beginning]
Elisa wanted her holidays to come as soon as possible, since she wanted to visit her cousin Antonia at the farm. When this day finally arrived, her auntie came to pick her up. She was so excited to go to the farm she even forgot to say good-bye to her parents.
When they arrived at the farm, Antonia realised Elisa didn’t say “good afternoon” to her uncle Eugene or even to the people who worked on the place. The days passed by… The girls played, went out on horse rides and swam in the lake.
There was something that was making Antonio feel quite curious about: Elisa never said the magic words “please” when she asked for something and “thank you” when she got something as a favour. Besides, when Elisa did something wrong, she never said “I am sorry”. Antonia never heard Elisa say “excuse me” when she entered her room or interrupted the adults when they were talking.
She realised Elisa didn’t know the magic words, which are signs of good education. Auntie Augusta and Cousin Antonia came up with a plan: they distributed colourful notes around the house with situations where the magic words could be used.
There were notes in the kitchen saying:
"Can you please pass me the sugar?"
"I am sorry I am late for work."
"Thank you for making my favourite desert."
There were notes in the living room saying:
"Can you please reach me the cushion?"
"Thank you for telling me a story."
"I am sorry I stepped on your foot."
There were notes in Antonia’s room saying:
"Thank you for lending me your book."
"I am sorry I hurt you."
"Can you please pass me that toy?"
When Elisa saw all those notes spread around the house, she found them quite funny. Her cousin then explained this was a new way for everyone at home to learn how to use the magic words.
- Magic words? What are these? I have no idea what these words mean – Elisa said.
- Please, thank you, excuse me, sorry are the magic words – her cousin said. The notes were everywhere so we can learn to use these words all the time with everyone.
This is how Elisa learned the magic words: with notes from different sizes and colours.
Elise arrived back home and decided to teach her mom and her little brothers to use the magic words she learned at the house of her Auntie Augusta and Cousin Antonia.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Once upon a time, the animals were called for a very urgent meeting. The topic to be discussed was: the increased heat and the lack of water in the Forest. Most of the species were present at the meeting. This reunion took place on one of the hottest days of the summer.
The Lion king was the one who began with the debates. The animal explained that heat was a consequence from the so called greenhouse effect. The more heat that gets trapped in the Earth, the harmer the planet will become; which will in turn, lead to weather changes throughout the world.
- This huge heat increase is being caused by the pollution coming from industries and cars; plus, from the destruction of trees and the pollution of rivers.
- I have heard the heat will increase even further – The zebra highlighted. Many animals and plants could become extinct! More rain, hurricanes, tornados and thunderstorms are going to come! There will be places where there will be no water or food left!
There was general buzz going around. All animals started to talk at the same time. No one understood each other.
Mother giraffe started to panic at this moment in time:
- Oh God! What will happen to our children? The world is going to end!
- Where will we reincarnate if the world ends? I want to continue progressing so much... – a boa constrictor, which was feeling quite distressed, added.
Everyone started to talk at the same time once again. Some seemed to be very worried, whereas others were whispering around, thinking about what would happen.
- Let’s take it easy, guys! – The Lion king said out loud. We need to be quiet in order to continue with our meeting!
The jaguar asked a question when every one started to feel calmer again:
- What about us? What can we do to save the planet?
- Well spotted, my dear friend – the owl said. We are all responsible for the planet we leave for our children and for ourselves, if we expect to reincarnate over here one more time. We can change our present reality, if each one of us does his own tasks.
- Can you please explain it better? – The lion king asked.
- We can all do little things, which will make a huge difference. For example: recycle. We could spend less paper, avoiding the falling of many trees.
- We could save electricity. Let’s not waste water either – the frog said.
- We could also go to work by foot, by bus, by bike or even get a ride from someone! – The fox said out loud.
There were many ideas coming through from the animals in regards to saving the nature. Each animal promised to do its part in order to avoid global warming. They created a commission on this day which would go to a factory that was near by to talk to the directors about ways of avoiding pollution. They used that chance as an opportunity to talk about the use of solar energy, which is more economic and less pollutant.
One year later, there was a big party in the forest. It was called the PARTY FOR ENVIRONMENT PRESERVATION. The animals celebrated all the results achieved and set up new targets related to the preservation of the forest. The party was full of joy. They decided to make this an annual event, which repeated for many, many years...
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
- Happy birthday! Make good use of life!
Beth couldn’t stop thinking about this last sentence: “Make good use of life!” Her auntie was the one who gave her this advice, but left the party a while ago. The little girl was not able to ask what she meant by this phrase.
Beth is now ten years old. She got a computer as a birthday present. She was soon putting her computing classes into practice; she was even sending and receiving e -mails.
One day she was sitting in front of the computer and had an idea. She decided to ask all her contacts the following question: “What does make good use of life mean to you?”
She then started to receive lots of answers; which varied from one another:
“To go on holiday and go fishing!” – Her uncle, whom she adored very much, replied to her. Therefore, the little girl didn’t like to go fishing. She thought this concept was not good enough.
“To go partying and drink loads!” – Her older cousin replied. Beth couldn’t go out at night since she was too young. Even if she was older, she wouldn’t go drinking. Her parents taught her alcoholic drinks are not healthy for our physical body.
“For me it means to do nothing; to rest!” – It was written on one of the e-mails received. “How odd!” – Beth thought for a moment. “I don’t like to sit still; I feel so bored! Plus, mom complains I bother her when I do that; she usually asks me to do something then.”
“To travel; to see the world!” – Her older sister replied; she was now studying and living in a different city. Yes, traveling is good but not all the time. Beth thought it‘s also good to be home with friends and family...
“To have enough cash to buy everything I want!” – This was the response of her best friend. This really surprised her. She could now realize a lot of people answered that material things such as cash, new car, social status and trips are more important than anything else.
One of the answers received was quite different, though. It said:
“To make good use of life is to be with whom you like; doing what you enjoy.”
Beth liked this e-mail, but preferred this one even more:
“The concept of making good use of life varies from person to person. It depends on the values that are important for each individual: for some it will be family, fun, money, trips, etc. for others it could be non material things. We are immortal spirits and are incarnate in Earth with the objective of learning to love, forgive, to have a close relationship with our family, to practice goodness. Did you know we are just like birds? We have two wings: the wing of wisdom, which represents the intellectual knowledge we should search through study and work; and the wing of love, which is the practice of charity, forgiveness, patience, comprehension, respect, and many other eternal values taught by Jesus.”
This e-mail finished off saying it was down to Beth to define making good use of life means to her. She should not forget we are spirits created by God who are passing through Earth, with the mission of learning to love and progressing.
Beth read the e-mail and decided to keep it. She was inspired by her protector-spirit. This e-mail helped her to understand what her auntie meant to say at her birthday.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Lucas was spending some days at his cousin’s house August; he was on holiday from school. They are really good friends; they enjoy spending time together playing and having fun. Therefore, something caught August’s attention: Lucas usually says some words he is not used to hearing. August thought they were silly to be said.
One day the boys went to the club. Lucas bumped into a boy by mistake and soon said:
- Sorry.
August thought the boys were going to fight, but he was surprised to see the other boy’s response:
- That’s ok.
Soon later they went to the club’s entrance. There were some boys standing at the front door, hindering the entrance. Lucas said calmly:
- Excuse me, we need to get in.
It was just like magic! – August saw the boys immediately moving to one side; letting him and Lucas getting into the club’s canteen.
When they arrived at the front balcony, August heard Lucas saying:
- Two soft drinks, please.
Lucas smiled at the bar tender once he got the drinks, paid for it and said:
- Thank you.
August watched everything carefully. He started to get interested in using those unknown words to him; it seems the other people enjoyed listening to them as well. August asked his cousin, as they were drinking their soft drinking and watching what was going on at the club:
- My mom always says I should say please and thank you. But it’s so hard to remember! How can you use these words so often, Lucas?
- I find it easy. In the beginning it requires attention and effort. As time goes by, it gets easier because you realize these words are magic.
- Magic?
- Yes, they are magic. The words “open doors”. Didn’t you realize that?
- Well, it’s true you were able to get into the canteen by saying excuse me. – August said.
- The four words: Excuse me, Please, Sorry and Thank you are magic because they open the doors of the hearts for good-will and respect amongst people.
Since his cousin seemed quite interested in the subject, Lucas continued talking:
- Please think for a moment. Which option sounds more pleasant to your ears: “Two drinks!” or “Two drinks, please!”?
- The second option, for sure.
- That’s why using these words is cool; it shows you are an educated person.
The two cousins continued talking about this subject. Lucas recalled various situations where the magic words can be used. The boys concluded that, besides saying them, listening to others saying these words is also quite cool.
- Thank you for this lesson – August said smiling back at his cousin.
- You are welcome. See? You have already started using magic!
It didn’t take long for August to realize these four magic words could open doors to a more pleasant life. He just needed to pay a bit of attention; soon these words became natural to him. This was good not just for him but also for everyone; he now has more friends and is considered to be a well educated child.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Rodrigo’s eyes shined when he saw the gift sent by his aunt: a brand new skate.
He got the skate, put a foot over it, and… fell! After this, he realised that just beside the skate there was a helmet, two knee pads, two elbow pads and an envelope. He put the on the safety equipments and discovered that inside the envelope there was a letter from his aunt. In the letter his aunt was congratulating him for his birthday and reminding him that riding a skate can be rather dangerous and therefore it required something that Rodrigo had to develop: patience. The letter also stated that for Rodrigo to fully enjoy his gift, he would have to use the formula: E=S+E+W+P. This formula was better explained in three blue notes, which were properly numbered, and he should open one note per day, starting with the first one, in order to get the message right.
The boy found everything very weird, but since he really liked his aunt and her fun ideas, he decided to do exactly as she suggested.
So he first opened the first note. It was written this: EVOLUTION = STUDY + E + W + P. Right below it, in small letters, he read: Watch the good examples.
* “What was that? A mathematical formula?” asked Rodrigo.
* “I think your aunt is trying to teach you how to ride a skate” said his mother.
* “How is that so?” asked Rodrigo.
* His mother continued: “Studying is a way to achieve evolution, so his aunt could be referring to learn how to ride the skate.
So Rodrigo was really puzzled. He understood the part concerning EVOLUTION, but what did STUDY have to do with skate? He wasn’t aware of sites or books that would teach you how to ride a skate… He thought for a while and then decided to go to the skating field near his home, to watch for the good examples, like the note said.
After arriving, he tried to ride his skate again but suddenly fell to the ground. Then he sat above the skate and started to watch other boys. He watched what they did with their arms and legs in order to remain stable over the skates. And that was how he spent his afternoon: watching some experienced skaters, studying their body movements, and trying to do the same. That day Rodrigo arrived home late, very exhausted but also very glad with his progress.
In the next day, Rodrigo opened the second note. It was written this: EVOLUTION = STUDY + EFFORT + W + P. He thought that he had done this the day before, and maybe he just needed to put on some more effort to be able to ride the skate on his own. So he went to watch the experienced skaters again, but this time he tried to concentrate more on his efforts. By the end of the day, Rodrigo was already able to ride his skate, although not so smoothly and easily as the other boys.
In the following day, Rodrigo opened the third note, and read the following: EVOLUTION = STUDY + EFFORT + WORK + PERSEVERANCE. So after going to the skating field again and returning home at the end of the afternoon, Rodrigo realised that everything written on those notes were true. In for him to participate in professional skating championships, and therefore make his wishes come true, he just needed to work hard for a long time, because those skilled movements were not so hard as they seemed at first.
So that night, Rodrigo received another letter from his aunt. She was asking if he liked his birthday gift and if he had read the notes exactly how she suggested. She also explained that learning how to ride a skate is like learning anything else in life. So in order for him to learn how to have more patience, Rodrigo could also use the formula: EVOLUTION = STUDY + EFFORT + WORK + PERSEVERANCE. That is, he should first study his attitudes, watch his behaviours with others, and try to understand why and when he became impatient. Then he should put on some effort to have more patience and work hard during many days in order to be more calm and to accept things at their own time. His aunt ended her letter by stating she would visit him very soon to see his progress.
In the end, that birthday was very special for Rodrigo, because he learned how to use the formula: EVOLUTION = STUDY + EFFORT + WORK + PERSEVERANCE to become a good skater and, most of all, to be a better person throughout his life.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Paula Melo, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Once upon a time, someone threw a little seed out of the window. It fall and jumped until it reached Peter who was on his way back from school. Peter decided to kick it until he got tired of kicking the little seed:
- Good bye little seed. I have now got better things to do than kick seeds – Peter said after he kicked the little seed for the last time.
The poor little seed felt really sad. It was now located at the middle of the road under a very hot sun. After spending all day in the sun, the little seed decided to get freshen up a bit at night. On the following morning, the little seed was relocated by the street-sweeper who looked after the streets cleanness.
The little seed then thought to itself: “no one seems to care about me? Will anyone ever cultivate me?” Peter was on his way to school on that morning and realised something was on his way. The little seed was now quite close to his trainers. He then said out loud to the little seed:
- It’s you again, little seed. I have played with you yesterday. I don’t have time to play today. - The little seed was taken to the middle of the road one more time….
People passed by her, but no one could see her. They all walked over the little seed. It cried, and cried but didn’t give up: “someone will eventually pay attention to me; the little boy is my only hope; maybe when he returns...”
Do you know what happened? On his way back from school, Peter found the little seed once again. He kicked it but this time by mistake:
- I am sick and tired of meeting you on my way, little seed. I will do something about it just now – the boy said, whilst he grabbed the little seed.
Do you know what he has done? When Peter arrived back home, he went to his garden and berried it into the earth. Why has he buried the little seed? Would it be because he didn’t want to meet it anymore on his way or to see it grow strongly? You choose!
It rained a lot on that same evening. The sun shined strong on the next morning. When Peter woke up, what was he thinking? Perhaps he thought: “I am now free of the little seed that was always following me.”
Some days passed by…. One Sunday Peter woke up and went out to play in the garden. Do you know what he just saw at this time? That’s right! The little seed has now transformed into a little tree. The boy felt so happy and decided to look after the little plant as from this day. The little tree grew stronger and stronger. Its seeds were soon transforming into other small little trees.
That’s how Peter started to enjoy and respect plants. He is now a bit older and has a vast amount of different trees in his house. He also has different species of plant seeds which he donates to people who are not able to afford them. He now understands the importance of plants and nature. He tries to teach people to respect it and aim to help the construction of a better future.
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Once upon a time, there were six dozen of families living in a small village. The village was located on the bottom of one of the mountains, which is part of The Andes. The place was very cold, snowing all year long and covered by cold and dark clouds..
There was a family living in a small cottage: John, his wife Mary and their three sons Rose, Marcus and baby Robert..
Rose and Marcus went to school everyday. They would dress up quite warmly as it was always very cold outside. Sometimes it would snow for days, which made the temperatures get even lower. .
The children at school would hear the teacher talk about plants, green forests, trees that provided delicious fruit, colourful flowers and gardens with beautiful butterflies. The children saw the sun and the colour of the nature through the images the teacher would bring to school as she wanted them to know how beautiful the sun and the nature were. They kept wondering how good it must be to live in a hot and sunny place, where they could run and play in beautiful gardens..
One night, Rose told her mom about her dream of living in a warm and sunny place:.
- Mom, I will ask our good Father to allow our family to live somewhere sunny and warm, which will have colorful plants..
She prayed for days and days and days…...
A few months passed by and Rose was not believing God would listen to her prayers. When she was beginning to doubt it, she would remember her mom teaching her that God always listen to our prayers and gives us what we deserve. She would then thank God for every good thing she had in life: her family, her school, friends, daily food....
Her dad John worked at a factory which was located right next to the mountain. He told his boss about his daughter’s dream of living somewhere sunny and hot. The boss was a very kind and generous man; he just laughed and walked away..
One day in spring time, John arrived home in a hurry because he wanted to tell them great news: the family was going to move to a different location. John was promoted! His boss decided to transfer him to another factory, which was close to the ocean..
Rose asked her dad if there would be sun and heat available in the new location. She was so delighted to find out the sun was present in this new place; plus, there were many colourful trees and gardens there..
They packed everything in a few days and left. The trip to the new location was quite long; the children slept most of the time. When Rose woke up, she could not believe on what her eyes were seeing: beautiful green fields, colourful trees and bright son which she had never seen before..
Her new home had a beautiful garden, flowers and trees with delicious fruit. As soon as she arrived there, Rose remembered to pray to God for listening to her prayers..
In her new home, Rose grew up happily. She thanked God for the sun which was shinning outside, making the plants grow; the flowers flourish, give life to trees and make her life much happier.
Amália Paz e Cláudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
One night Esther was reading something really peaceful before going to bed. She prayed with utmost devotion before sleeping, since she knows she needed to get ready to be able to have a good night’s sleep.
As it happens to most of us, Esther slept and the bonds which unite her to the physical body were relaxed during sleep. Her spirit remained awake and could travel through space, and entered into more direct relation with other spirits. The perispirit, which is the Spirit’s fluidic body, unites the body and the spirit. It is linked to the physical body by an energetic thread known as the silver cord.
On that night, Esther slept and dreamed... She could remember on the following day a colourful and beautiful dream. This was not the first time dreamed with her uncle Ivan, who disincarnated one year ago. As soon as she woke up, she told her older sister:
- Uncle Ivan told me to study, obey my parents, and keep going to the spiritist education classes and practice goodness.
- Cool! – Madison said. Uncle Ivan loved giving advice, do you remember? This happened when we meet in spirit the people we love; disincarnate or incarnate. You know this, don’t you?
- Yes, I do. I dream quite often – Esther answered. Last week I dream with a math’s exam I would have to do on the following day.
- Oh, but that’s a different dream! When you dreamed with the exam, you brought your daily preoccupations to your dream. These are called psychological dreams. The dream you had with uncle Ivan was a spiritual dream, since you have the remembrance of what your spirit had seen. We can recall this type of dream or just keep a good or bad feeling from it, depending on what happened.
- I once dreamed I had to go to the toiled and kept searching for one on my dream... – Esther said this to her sister and started to laugh.
- I have already dreamed of this... Thank God I woke up right on time to go to the toilet... – both girls started to laugh. I have already dreamed I was in the North Pole and woke up feeling really cold. These dreams are called Psychological as they are a result of our thoughts, interests and worries.
Esther felt really happy today. She found out when we sleep, depending on our merits and feelings, we can meet people, learn, work and practice goodness in the spiritual world.
When this conversation was over, she was full of new ideas: she was planning to ask her protector spirit to learn whilst her physical body slept, if possible. She also wished to meet her cousin Anne, since she missed her so much.
What about you? What are you intending to do tonight, whilst your physical body sleeps?
*This story was created by the spiritist teachers from the 2nd Cycle – Spiritist Group Seara do Mestre (Santo Ângelo/RS). This was used to illustrate the lesson "Sleep and Dreams".
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
_ Daddy!!
Carl, a seven year old boy, was being brought to the spiritist education classes at the spiritist centre by his mother.
_ Dad, are you sure guardian angels don’t have any wings? Is that true?
Luis, Carl’s father, had a lot of experience as a spiritist teacher. He remembered some of the questions the children used to bring to his classes.
_ No, my son. Little angels with wings and halos do not exist.
_ But dad, who do I need to pray for, then?
_ We could do our prayers directly to God, to Jesus or to our protector spirit.
_???
_ In the Spiritist Doctrine we prefer to call them protector spirits instead of angels. They are spirits like us, but they have already discarnate.
_ Oh right, dad! Disincarnate is someone who died already, is that right?
_ Yes, that’s right. These are spirits who have progressed morally due to the good actions practiced. They are now in the spiritual plane able to help us, inspiring us good thoughts. Therefore, they don’t decide on our behalf. It is our responsibility to be good, look after the nature, respect the others and love one another.
_ So, Can we all become protector spirits someday?
_ It will depend on our evolution and our personal improvement as a person.
_ Wow daddy, that’s good! I will try to be better every single day. I want to become someday a protector spirit and help other people.
Steve picked up his ball and was really happy to have learnt a new lesson, thus asked his dad to play with his friends.
Bis nº 15 – fevereiro de 2000
Translation: Viviane Ferreira
[Have fun!]
[Beginning]
_ Happy birthday! Enjoy life!
The last sentence hasn’t left of Kate’s mind: “Enjoy life!” Her aunt who had given her this advice had already left, so Kate hasn’t had a chance to ask her aunt what was the sentence meaning.
Kate was commemorating her 10Th birthday and she got as a gift a computer. With her computer she started to send e-mails to her friends.
The girl has had a good idea; she sent e-mails asking her friends the following question: what does mean “enjoy life” for you?
There were many kind of answers, different ways of thinking:
“Be on vacation and go fishing!” _ said Kate’s favorite uncle. The girl, however, doesn’t like to fish, and thought the definition was not really good.
“Go to the parties and get drunk” _ answered an older cousin. Kate couldn’t go to the parties yet, is still a kid, and even, if could go, she thought she wouldn’t drink until get drunk, because her parents had taught her that drinking alcoholic drinks was not a good choice, it’s not healthy and it’s not good for you as an immortal spirit.
“Be without doing anything, only retiring!” _ It was written in one of the received e-mails. “That’s funny” _Thought Kate. “I don’t like to be without doing anything, because I get bored, and my mom complains that I bother her, always asking her something to do.
“Travel, know the world!” _ It was her older sister answer, who was in a college. Travel is great, thought Kate, but not all the time, because stay at home with friends and family is cool.
“Have a lot of money to buy whatever you want!” _ Kate’s best friend surprised her. Although, many other people associated the answer with material things like money, new car, rank, trips.
One of the answers, however, was different and said:
“Enjoy life is to be with people you like, doing what you like.”
Kate has liked this e-mail, but she has liked the other one more:
“The concept of enjoying life varies from person to person, according to the important values of each other: family, have fun, money, trips, might be material things or not. As immortal spirits who we are, we are incarnated in the earth to learn how to love, forgive, live in family, do good to everybody. Do you know we are as birds? We also have two wings: the wisdom wing, that represents intellectual knowledge that we should bring through studying and working; and the love wing, that is charity practice, forgive, patience, understanding, respect, and many other immortal values taught by Jesus.”
The e-mail ended telling her that was up to herself define what is enjoy life, without forgetting that we are spirits created by God passing through the earth, in order to love and evolve.
Kate, after thinking about the message, inspired by her protective spirit, kept the e-mail carefully, positive that it had helped her understand what her aunt meant that birthday.
Cláudia Schimidt
Translation: Viviane Ferreira
[Beginning]
Once upon a time, in a forest far away, there was a little ant called Fly who lived in a beautiful and organized anthill. There was an intense activity going on there. This anthill was managed by a very kind Queen ant. Fly was very different from her little sisters, because she wanted to sleep all the time...
The little ants were always carrying leafs to supply the anthill, but felt annoyed when they saw Fly sleeping all the time. She would sleep non-stop; she wouldn’t worry about anything at all...
Fly’s behaviour was so shocking the entire anthill felt angry and decided to go on strike. Fly would either change her behaviour and work or none of the ants would work. It was chaos… The Queen ant had to take an emergency action to solve this problem, which was created by the lazy ant…
The Queen ant called Fly and kindly talked to her. The Queen ant was feeling angry but decided to find out first from Fly why she was behaving this way. Fly replied that she simply didn’t want to carry any leafs as they were too heavy….
The Queen ant gave her the opportunity to decide for another activity at the anthill, which she could get involved with. The Queen ant took her to visit the nursery where she could become a baby-sitter for the baby-ants. Therefore, Fly was not able to stand their cries for more than half-hour. She soon got back to The Queen ant and complained she couldn’t do the job...
Fly was taken by The Queen ant to the deposit where all leafs were stored. Fly could work at the storage, with the perforation of leafs and the organization of the warehouse. Fly didn’t like this activity either; she found it really tiring.
The Queen ant then had another idea:
- Oh, I know! I will find you a task you won’t need to make any strength and won’t get tired from doing it.
Fly loved the idea. She was now the guard of the anthill. She was so happy because she thought that position was really posh and easy. She didn’t have to do much. Fly would only need to stand up there and press the alarm button if anything dangerous got closer to the anthill...
But soon Fly fell asleep...
She slept there; standing up….
She didn’t see when Tamandua, who eats mostly ants.
Tamandua ate half of all the ants from the anthill! The Queen ant was fortunately able to escape from the attack because she was protected by the soldier-ants.
Fly cried a lot for the lost of her friends and was severely punished by The Queen ant. She was so angry at Fly!
Fly cried and mourned the loss of her friends…. She suddenly heard a noise coming from the factory: PIIIIIUUUUIIIIII!!!! She was so shocked!
Fly was sleeping, instead of working as a guard! The Tamandua’s attack was just a dream, but it served as a lesson for Fly. It was an important warning for the importance of the work and the responsibility Fly now has as working as a guard.
Today, Fly is the best worker at the anthill. It is amazing to see how enthusiastic she is at work. She enjoys protecting the anthill; she is always attentive to her task and in a very good mood. It is with great joy she work as a guard, but not only that…. Se also does volunteer work like carrying the heaviest leafs and helping ill ants to be fed. Fly is now much happier; she is now a role model for younger little ants.
Sherazade Gomes
Drawings from Sherazade Gomes – Spiritist Teacher –Spiritist Centre Francisco de Assis - Eunápolis/BA
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Colored Drawings]
[Drawings]
[Beginning]
* One beautiful morning, Alex woke up and went to the bathroom to wash his face. He suddenly realized there was no water available. He then decided to go out and buy fresh bread for his morning breakfast. He went down to his building reception area and realized the doorman wasn’t there. He then left the building and walked to the streets. He now realized the rubbish was not collected by the town hall.
* He then was standing in front of the bakery when he realized it was closed. The local street shop was also closed….
* Alex decided to go back home as he needed to go back to work. He walked it and realized his house was quite messy. He called his secretary Diva, but suddenly realized she didn’t come to work on this day.
* He decided to go to work. He worked quite far away. He walked to the bus stop which was two blocks from his building. He then noticed all the shops were closed. When he arrived at the bus stop, someone told him there were no buses. The entire city was on strike. It was general strike.
* He tried to get a taxi and buy a medication for his headache at the drug store. Therefore, there were no taxis around or drug stores open. He had to walk to work on this day.
* Alex worked in a factory that produced and packed milk. When he finally arrived at work, he found out none of his colleagues came to work. Everything was closed. On this day, no bottles of milked were packed.
* He managed to go back home by foot. On his way home, he saw a hospital which was closed. There was a queue of ill people waiting for the hospital to open.
* He walked for a little bit longer and noticed there were too many leaf from the trees on the floor. It seemed as if they were forming a carpet of leafs in the streets, which could be quite slippery and dangerous. The streets we full of leafs and garbage.
* He now remembered he was almost out of cash. Alex then decided to walk to his bank, but he wasn’t able to get in as the bank was also closed.
* He went back home, tried to watch TV but there was no light.
What do you think he could do? (Please let the children answer).
But this was not what happened….
He suddenly heard the following noise: TRRRRRIIIIMMMM!!
He was actually dreaming. He woke up from his dream, but he learned a very important lesson. What is it? (Please let the children answer).
Cláudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
It was Arthur’s first day of holiday. He just started his school holidays today. His mother asked him to help drying the dishes after they had lunch.
- Oh, mom. I can’t do it! – He said. I don’t want to do anything this time. I am on holiday. I don’t want to work. No way!
On the same day, Arthur also decided not to tidy up his room, wash his tennis shoes and help his mom with the house duties. He just laid in the couch for the whole afternoon. He decided to just stay in the living room watching TV. His mother wanted to oblige him to help her, but decided to do something different...
On the following day Arthur woke up quite late and decided not to help her again. He said:
- I am on holiday. I don’t want to work. No way!
Her mother than challenged her son:
- I bet you won’t be able to stay a week without being able to work!
- I bet an ice cream I can! – Artur responded.
- Ok, we have a bet! – His mother said.
His mother was called Ana. She then started to watch her son quite closely to see what things he chose to do or make. When he finished reading one of the books he got as a present from his uncle, she said:
- My son, you might not be aware but according to the Spiritist Doctrine we learn that EVERY USEFUL OCCUPATION IS LABOUR. If you read a book, with spiritist stories, this is also labour.
Arthur didn’t want to work and decided to go cycling. He cycled for over an hour. When he got back home, lady Ana recalled:
- Physical exercises are really good for our physical body; hence, it is a useful occupation….
- Right, this means this is work! –Artur understood the message and decided to drop his bike.
When the boy was starting to get bored, his neighbour Abigail called for him. She wanted to invite him to play with her. They played together for hours and hours. When Abigail went back to her house, lady Ana said:
- Healthy children’s plays are very good for our spirit. They educate us and teach us respect, kindness and collaboration. Hence, they are considered a type of labour.
Artur couldn’t respond to his mother. He soon switched on the TV and started to watch an interesting documentary on animals.
- To study is a very useful and important occupation, just like watching educational programmes on TV – his mother reminded him during dinner time.
On the same evening Arthur watched a movie he got at rental center. This was a horror movie with suspense. When Lady Ana walked into the living room and saw what he was watching, she said:
- This is definitely not labour. This is not useful to watch; it will make you feel scared and attracted spiritual companies to this environment who also love violence and fear.
Arthur meditated on what his mother said for a while, but decided to finish watching the movie. His mother then came to say good night to him. She than asked:
- Have you prayed this evening?
Arthur said he did; she smiled and said:
- To pray for yourself and for others is a beautiful and useful occupation... While we are sleeping, we can work and study in spirit...
Arthur just smiled and understood he would not be able to win the bet… This was when he realized his mother, with love and patience, made him reflect about his choices in life. His mother was able to teach him that every useful occupation is labour.
On the following day, Arthur helped his mother with the house duties without complaining. He felt that being useful was an intelligent choice. It brings us well-being and happiness. Work is a precious opportunity to learn and progress. A few days later, mother and son decided to stop working for a few moments and enjoyed a big and delicious ice cream.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
One day, I decided to make a list of things I want to get as Christmas presents. I gave it to my mom: one football, one videogame and a mobile phone.
I got an answer back from her, in writing: Yes, No, wait…
I didn’t understand the note, and decided to ask her to explain it to me. She said that each word was referring to an individual answer for each of my wishes. Hence:
Football = Yes
Videogame = No
Mobile phone = Wait
I then understood I was going to get a football for Christmas, but she would not give me a videogame since the one I wanted was war related.
- Son, it’s not good or education to be playing up with war games. These games, son, are encouraging war, since you are shooting, destroying cities, killing people… Every holiday season manufactures prey on the children with pro-war propaganda disguised as innocent toys. These games are just like a real war. I don’t want you to grow up thinking its fun to kill.
She also explained the third answer is to wait since this is not the right time for me to get a mobile phone:
- There is always the right time for everything, son. In the near future you will get one, depending on your maturity and responsibility. It’s too early now; please be patient.
I don’t agree with my mom since I am now eleven years old. I now know I won’t get a mobile phone for Christmas. My mom then explained God also operates in a similar way. We can ask Him for things, but he waits for the right time to answer what we asked Him.
- God only do what we ask if this is something we deserve or if this will help us in our spiritual evolution. If we are not listened, give it some time. We might realise our request was not really good for us.
My mom noticed I was listening to her quite carefully and decided to continue:
- When God answers our prayers, we need to wait; we need to trust Him. We should pray, have faith and develop our patience because God know what is best for us.
I now realise I don’t need to put up a fight or feel sorry for not getting everything I have asked for. I know if I complain nothing will change. It’s best to wait and avoid discussion.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
- There are five cents missing, lady...
The bus collector was waiting whilst Claire look around her pockets to see where the coin was. She didn’t have five cents to pay for her bus ticket...
- Here you go!
Renato spontaneously gave one of his coins to the bus collector. Claire felt relieved and thanked her friend with a smile.
Both friends sat right behind Louise, Claire’s older sister. They watched the city and the people passing by... There are so many economic and social differences in the world! They felt quite sad when they saw children who were not able to go to school, people begging for money in the streets, really poor houses... They could see men and women whose faces looked really tired and hopeless…
Claire suddenly asks:
- Why is the world so sad?
Renato meditated for a moment… Louise turned to them and answered:
- Unfortunately, this is the way things are still. If each of us our part, the world would be a much happier place…. Therefore, not everyone wants to help.
Louise goes to the Youth Group at the spiritist centre. Over there they talk a lot and try to understand people and the world. They also questioned themselves what they could do to change the reality.
- It’s impossible to fix this world! No one cares about anyone…. Renato poured out his heart.
Louise soon corrected him:
- No, Renato. This is not true. There are many people out there who don’t care about anyone, but there are people who do care and try to make a difference for the world to become a better place. The problem is we tend to only look at the dark side of things.
Louise then started to tell them some of the good things that people do to others:
One young man stood up and let a lady take his place on the bus; the driver waited for a woman to cross the street; two children shared their snack at school; a Doctor who didn’t charge poor people for his advice and time; people who did theatre plays for children who were in orphanages; a lady who buys school material for her maid’s son to encourage him to go to school; clothes and food campaigns for poor families; boys who visit elderly at elderly houses; a man who always smiles at the postman….
There are a lot of good people out there! There are also many opportunities to help, everyday!
Claire then realized the coin Renato gave her to pay for her journey. It was only five cents, but it made a huge difference for her!
On that day, Claire and Renato were able to understand with Louise’s help that little things we do can make a huge difference to the person who we help. With small attitudes, we can help the world become a much better place to live.
Letícia Müller
drawings created by Cleusa Lupatini – Spiritist Teacher - Grupo Espírita Seara do Mestre - Santo Ângelo/RS
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Drawings]
[Have fun!]
[Beginning]
Anne Louise was a beautiful, well educated, responsible and loving girl whom everyone adored. Even though she was only 6 years old, she was quite independent. She was able to do her homework on her own, showered without complaining and even helped her mom by making her bed every morning and organizing her toys.
She would also help her mom looking after her little brother Lucas, a beautiful baby with big blue eyes.
One day she was invited by her auntie Clare to spend the weekend in the house of her grandma Leticia. Anne was really happy with the invite since she was going to visit her grandma and spend the weekend with her cousins Tassiane and Talita.
Her mom helped her pack the backs, but Anne was not able to sleep the night before because she was quite excited with the trip. On the next day, they travelled to the city. They observed the nature, the beautiful landscape and sun. Anne and her mother thanked God’s kindness for creating the nature, the trees and flowers that were embellishing the way to the city.
Once they arrived at her granny’s home, they were welcomed with lots of hugs and kisses. They all went to the house to enjoy a delicious snack prepared by Grandma Leticia. As soon as they finished eating, the grandma went to the kitchen to do the washing. Anne decided to help her dry the dishes and realised her granny used the least amount of detergent possible and didn't leave the water running for rinsing.
Anne Louise and her cousins soon went out to play together. They exchanged presents and talked a lot trying to catch up as much as they could. At night they were all really tired and decided to get ready to go to sleep. Anne Louise helped her mother unpack her bags.
Auntie Claire said now it was time for them to take a shower and go to sleep. Anne Louise’s cousins didn’t want to go because they wanted to play a bit more. Anne, instead, decided to go and take her shower. Her grandma switched on the shower and left the bathroom since Anne knew how to take a shower on her own. She was feeling quite comfortable and started to sing in the shower. She stayed there for about 20 minutes, but then her grandma opened the door and said:
- Anne, you are taking too long in this shower! There is a lot of water being wasted!
Anne was used to spending a lot of time in the shower, and found her grandma’s reaction quite strange. Her grandma then explained that we need to save water so that this resource will still be available in the future. If everyone takes quicker showers, we will have water available to drink in the future. In the shower, you can turn water on to get wet; turn off to lather up; then turn back on to rinse off. You can also repeat it when washing your hair.
The conversation continued after the shower, since her grandma explained that we need to look after rivers by not polluting it, not throwing bin at it so we can have water forever. Anne Louise paid close attention to what her grandma thought her. She changed the way she took her shower and brushed her teeth!
The weekend was really fun. When Anne Louise got back home, she told her dad and friends about it. She also encouraged them to save water and look after the rivers. She also talked to them about how difficult it would be to live without water and how important it is for our health and well-being. Anne Louise also talked to her mom’s employee so she could also save water when she did the washing and avoided running the tap.
This was such a special trip because Anne Louise learned a lesson for life! She thought many people what she knew about water, and they also changed their behaviour helping to conserve the water of the planet.
Amália Paz
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
- No, mom. I don’t want to water the plants. I don’t like nature!
- But, dear, the nature is not just made of plants. Nature was God’s creation and is a gift for us. It includes plants, animals, flowers, water, air, rain, sea, sky, clouds...
- It doesn’t matter for me, mom. Nature didn’t need to exist, for me.
Marcia decided to stay silent for a few moments and then asked:
- What if nature didn’t exist for you, for one day?
- It would be ok for me; the girl said. Actually, it would be really good for me.
- Ok, we have a deal now. You won’t have nature in your life tomorrow. How about that?
Marcia felt a bit suspicious with her mother’s deal, but decided to accept it in the end. She thought it would be good not to water the plants, clean the leaves from the front garden or moan the lawn.
On the following day, she woke up, went to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth, but couldn’t. There was no water available. She then went to her room to find her school uniform, but couldn’t find her t-shirt. She then went to the kitchen to have breakfast, but didn’t find her coffee ready. Instead there was a note at the table where it was written:
"The milk comes from the cow. The sugar comes from the sugar can, which is a plant. Coffee is also a plant. Bread is made of wheat and fruits are also coming from the nature, just as the wheat.”
Marcia actually liked the fact she didn’t need to have breakfast, since she wasn’t hungry. Her mom didn’t insist for her to eat either. She asked her mom where her t-shirt was, but was told it was made of cotton. Since it is plant, hence Marcia wouldn’t be able to clothe it today. The girl missed her cat, which would always be there in the morning to spend some time with her. Her mom told her the cat was spending the day at her neighbour’s house, since animals are also part of nature.
When she got inside the car, the girl found it really funny when her mom asked her to keep her eyes closed until they reached the school. She found out her mom wanted her to do that so she didn’t see all the beautiful trees and flowers that were on the around on that beautiful morning of spring.
Marcia went to her classroom, opened her bag to look for her notebook and pencil, but couldn’t find them. Instead, there was a note written by her mom saying:
"Notebooks and pencils are in fact coming from the trees. Kisses, your mom."
She felt annoyed, but then asked someone to lend her a piece of paper and a pencil. They had a break later on. Instead of finding her snack, she found another note from her mom:
"I could not find anything for you to eat that doesn’t belong to the nature. I am sorry."
When Marcia arrived back home, she could smell food in the kitchen. She then searched for her mom; she wanted to talk to her....
At this point in the story, the spiritist teacher should question the children: What do you think the girl did? What would you do if you were her?
Marcia was very hungry and sorry for what she said on the previous day. Whilst she was speaking to her mom, her cat came close to her; to welcome the girl back from school.
Marcia’s mum hugged her and asked the girl to do the prayer before they had lunch, as the family usually did. On that day, Marcia asks God’s forgiveness and thanked Him for the creation of the nature. She now realises it is a gift from God for all human beings. Without nature, it would be impossible for us to leave in the planet.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
One day Monica and Antonia were finishing their school assignment called “Jesus’ miracles”. They wrote about several of Jesus’ cures, such as the Ten Lepers, the Paralytic from Betsaida and so on, but something was missing….
- Why can’t people perform the same types of cures Jesus did? – Monica questioned.
Antonia didn’t know the answer to this question. Therefore, Auntie Amelia, who is a spiritist teacher, came to her mind. She had helped her in previous school assignments.
They decided to search for Auntie Amelia and ask her help. She works as a chemist in a manipulation pharmacy. They met her explained their doubts whilst she was preparing something with test tubes. Auntie Amelia suddenly dropped a pink liquid in her white lab coat, without warning the girls she would do it. The girls got really frightened! Why did she do that? Her lab coat would now have a pink stain on it!
Therefore Auntie Amelia, instead of explaining what she did, just said to them:
- Jesus did not perform any miracles.
The girls looked at each other. What was going on with Auntie Amelia? First, she drops this pink liquid in her lab coat; now she says this…. But she continued:
- Miracle is an extraordinary event that goes against the Laws of god. In the ancient times, people didn’t have the knowledge we have nowadays. They understood as miracles all cures and extraordinary phenomena performed by Jesus because they could not explain it in a different way.
- But, how can we explain the cures performed by Jesus? – Antonia wanted to know.
- Jesus cured people, repelled disturbed spirits, said predictions... He also used telepathy and clairvoyance. He was able to all these by manipulating energy; through his thoughts and will, since He is a Superior spirit and has much more knowledge than all of us. – The Auntie explained.
Monica and Antonia were listening carefully. Auntie Amelia continued:
- He did these extraordinary things to help people and to make them understand He was on a very special mission; to disseminate love and charity. But to deserve to be cured, the person needed to have faith and will to change. This is why Jesus always said: ‘Your Faith saved you’.
It was at this point Monica remembered what happened to her auntie’s lab coat. It was quite surprising to see the pink stain was now gone! The girls were again taken by surprise…
- No, girls, this is not a miracle! – Auntie Amelia explained. This is just something we can’t explain. Can you now see how easy it is to call miracle something we do not understand? I mixed certain chemical components together earlier on. When they get dry, these components evaporate and make the stain disappear.
- Cool! – The girls screamed.
They kissed Auntie Amelia and thanked her for the lesson. They went back home to finish their school assignment and decided to change its title: Jesus did not perform miracles.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Charlie had a beautiful brown cat called Tom. They used to play together and the cat followed up the boy in all places: Tom sometimes was a little clumsy. It had already broken Ann’s favorite flower and dropped the cookies jar from the table. Besides, Tom has ripped their daily newspapers many times.
One afternoon, however, Charlie went to his mom’s bedroom to look a for cotton swab in her drawer. Charlie took everything off from the drawers, when something suddenly happened:
- Crash!
He dropped the bottle of perfume that belongs to his mom. When the bottle fell down on the floor, it was broken in many pieces. It spread all the perfume on the floor. Mrs. Ann, who was in the kitchen, heard the noise and went there to check what just happened:
- My perfume! - She said. – What happened, Charlie?
- It was Tom, mom. – Charlie said; showing the cat that was not too far from him.
- This cat is a disaster! This is not the first object it breaks in this house! - Charlie’s mom complained.
Charlie went quiet while his mom kept talking.
- Today Tom is going to sleep in the garage! I don’t want this cat anymore into the house! Tom is going to stay out there, starting from now. He is not going to break anything else.
Charlie didn’t tell his mom the truth, but just took the cat to the garage. Later, when Mrs. Ann placed dinner on the table, Charlie didn’t want to eat. The boy was missing the cat. He suddenly realized they couldn’t play together that night.
Before falling asleep, his mom came to his bedroom to pray with him. He missed the cat that would usually sleep on the rug next to Charlie’s bed. When they finished the prayer, Charlie couldn’t keep hiding the truth from his mom and decided to be honest about what happened:
- Mom, it wasn’t Tom that broke your bottle of perfume. It was me! I hit the bottle and it fell on the ground. I’m sorry!
Mrs. Ann hugged Charlie and remembered him that telling the truth is always the best decision. They then went back to the garage to pick up Tom. The cat got really happy to see them and went to sleep on his rug next to Charlie’s bed.
Claudia Schmidt
Translator: Viviane Ferreira
[Beginning]
Joyce is calm, friendly and dedicated 12 year old child.
Therefore, one day she had a tough time at school. She was chatting to a colleague and the teacher reprehended her. Joyce felt ashamed and embarrassed, because she really likes the teacher and knew she wasn’t doing anything wrong.
On the same evening, her parents invited her to go to a lecture given by Divaldo Pereira Franco, who is a prominent Spiritist speaker and medium. She decided not to go. Besides, she started to scream out loud, with a very weird voice. She said she didn’t want her parents to go to that lecture. She was crying, shouting and begged them to stay home with her.
Her parents decided to talk to her very peacefully. They said they loved her very much and wanted pray with her. Joyce didn’t want them to pray, but her parents were very firm with her. They were going to pray no matter what. They soon started to pray and Joyce began to feel calmer. She slept earlier on that day. Her father went to the lecture, but her mom stayed home with her.
On the following day, Joyce said to her parents she couldn’t remember what happened last night. She said she felt like fighting with everyone. It was as if someone was inside her head, telling her to do so.
Her mom heard her attentively and decided to take her to the nearest spiritist centre. They went there on the same evening to talk to someone who could help them. They were welcomed by a very friendly and kind lady at the centre. She heard Joyce’s story and explained what happened to her.
She said we are all influenced by our disincarnate brothers and sisters. They connect to us through common interests we might have with them:
- It’s like us hearing a voice telling us: Do this! Don’t go there! The spirits try to influence us so we do good or bad things. It is up to each of us to decide to follow their advice.
The lady also said we have our protector angel, who is our friend, always by our side. He/she gives us good advices, but in order to feel his/her presence, we need to listen to our intuition. We must want to follow a good path. She said the best way to connect to him/her is through prayer.
Mother and daughter learned a lot on that evening. They decided to read books about spiritual influences and always pray whenever they had bad thoughts, so they could get help from their spiritual guides. They also decided to do “Gospel at Home" reading once a week on same day at same time, lasting from 15 to 20 minutes, in any room of the house where participants can sit comfortably.
Please ask them: Why do you think Joyce stopped suffering from the influence of disincarnated spirits?
Joyce can feel spiritual influences, just like all of us can. If we acquire knowledge and following Jesus’ teaching, we will be able to perceive more the positive influences that will lead us to a good patch. Let’s watch and pray, as Jesus taught us.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Johnny, Peter and Joseph went to a supermarket. Johnny and Peter stole two chocolate bars each. Joseph didn’t steel anything. He was able to buy a chocolate bar with the coins he had on his pocket. Guess what happened to the three boys?
Johnny – Johnny kept thinking it was ok to steel one or two chocolate bars. He soon started to steel other things; bigger and more expensive. Johnny was never taken to jail, which is why he thought it was ok to steel as long as no one found out about it.
Johnny grew up and found a job, but he was soon stealing from his boss. He had to move to another city and find another job so that no one would find out his thefts.
Johnny had a lot of material things, but didn’t have a calm and relaxed consciousness. He had insomnia and gastritis. He also felt nervous and afraid of someone finding out about his thefts. He was a very unhappy person. He realised his sons felt ashamed of him, since he was not a very good example to be followed. He was really young when he had a heart attack and disincarnated. He arrived at the Spiritual World feeling quite disturbed and attached to the material life. He missed his house, his car and all the other material things he had in Earth. He ended up meeting other robbers, like himself, who suffered a lot. They were also very scared and felt loneliness. Some time later he regretted the dishonest life he had in Earth. Johnny’s family prayed for him. God, with His infinite kindness, gave him a new opportunity (the spiritist teacher can ask how God gives us a new opportunity when we are in the Spiritual World): he reincarnated. Johnny, in his new life, has another physical body and another name. He will many times feel tempted to be dishonest. He will soon need to learn to respect other people and their belongings. If he does that, he will be able to acquire an eternal virtue: honesty.
Peter – When he got home, Peter’s dad realised his son was looking quite disturbed. He then went to talk to Peter and found out what happened. He talked to Peter about the importance of being an honest person at all times. He also said stealing is wrong and our conscious mind will remember that, even if no one can see it. His dad made he go back to the supermarket and apologise to the manager. He also had to pay back for the chocolate bar he stole. The boy never forgot his dad’s words. He also couldn’t forget his dad’s face. He felt so bad about it as his father was feeling extremely embarrassed by this child’s attitude. Time passed by, and Peter never ever stole again.
He also learned that lying is dishonest. If he lies, he is being dishonest with himself and with others. He learned to cultivate the truth only. Peter finished his studies, went to University and found a good job. He got married and had children. During his life, Peter had the opportunity to be dishonest but never did it. When he thought about it, he remembered his dad’s words. He developed a virtue which is called honesty. This is an eternal virtue, which will take him to the next reincarnations.
Joseph – When Joseph found out about what his friend did, he tried to alert them. He said it was wrong to steel and their attitude would bring them negative consequences. Therefore, the other boys didn’t pay him attention. They called Joseph a coward and a chickenhearted. Since he knew it was wrong to steel, he decided to leave the other boys alone.
Joseph grew up, finished University and got a job. He met a girl called Miriam, who he fall in love with and got married to. They had children. His wife was very honest and worked hard. Their home was full of love and sincerity. Joseph could rest in peace every night and feel calm about his day as he was always doing his best; following Jesus’ teachings.
Joseph and Miriam faced some challenges, even financial difficulties. Therefore, with the love, sincerity and honesty they had they were able to solve their problems in an easier way. Joseph was able to give his sons a great example to be followed. The children learned precious lessons and were able to pass these lessons to their kids as well; Joseph’s grandchildren. They were all able to build up a better world.
When Joseph, disincarnated, he was welcomed by many friends in the spiritual workd. They were all so happy for meeting Joseph once again. Joseph also reincarnated to continue with his spiritual progress, feeling good for the efforts he made in his previous incarnation.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Our story starts at a family home. Their situation wasn’t easy at all. The father left the family a long time ago... The older brothers decided to live in the streets. They didn’t care about the family either. The mother was very sick; this sickness didn’t seem to have a cure...
Johnny, who was only 12 years old, managed everything at home alone. He would do little jobs, manage to look after his sick mother and feed his two little brothers. He would also be concerned about their education, since he himself wasn’t able to go to school. Whoever saw him could never believe Johnny, who looked so fragile and small as a result of bad nutrition, would have the strength and courage to endure so much. Johnny never complained. He always dealt with whatever came to his life the best way possible. He always managed to be happy and keep the flag flying.
From men’s point of view, God seemed to be unfair. He gave so much responsibility to this fragile and unprotected child. Therefore, from the spiritual point of view, it looked so much different! Both the spiritual benefactors and Johnny knew this was the only way for him to earn his redemption.
In his previous reincarnation, Johnny was Mr. Johns. He was born in a very noble and rich family. Instead of using his family’s resources and influence to help others, he would use his money to persecute and give rein to his bad passions.
He destroyed families and hurt a lot of people, with his power and money. After he disincarnated, Mr. Johns was no longer famous or powerful. He showed who he really was: an unhappy and afflicted spirit who regretted the evil things he did. He then planned a new life, with the help of the spiritual benefactors. This new life would have many difficulties and suffering; deprived from material resources. Mr. Johns would receive at his home a lot of people he hurt in this previous incarnation, as family members who needed to be looked after by him.
There goes Johnny, the boy who seemed to have all the rights to feel sad or angry. Instead, he is a very happy child. He is just like a little anonymous hero, who’s been helped by invisible friends, searching for little jobs in order to maintain his family. He knows, unconsciously, he asked and received from God the opportunity to rectify his mistakes from the past and progress in the best possible way: by seeding and distributing smiles and love wherever he goes.
Luis Roberto Scholl
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
Drawings from Cristina Chaves - Sociedade Espirita Casa do Caminho - Bairro Jardim das Palmeiras - Porto Alegre - RS
[Drawings] [Beginning]
Horácio is a ten-year-old boy who won for his last birthday a little dog called Cafuné.
One day, something different happened: Horácio woke up in the Cafuné’s little house, but he didn’t remember how he got there. He realized at the same time the little house needed to be cleaned, but Cafuné didn’t know how to clean its house. The dog was not there and there was not even clean water to Cafuné drink.
When the boy tried to get out of the house, he realized that he, Horácio, was Cafuné. He got scared and tried to ask his mom for help. Eunice, as soon as she saw the dog trying to get her attention, sent it out to the garden.
The dog/boy was feeling quite confused. He decided to lie in the shade. He realized he thought as a boy, but the other people thought he was Cafuné, his dog. He realizes his body was a little different, needed a shower, and also there were some weird signs in it, like scars. What would be them? Horácio remembered one time when he was playing with Cafuné and his dad stopped him because he was hurting the dog. It must have hurt a lot. How could he be so bad with his friend? He needs to be more careful next time. Would be there another chance?
Suddenly, Horácio felt a strong itch. Fleas! He was full of fleas! He now remembers he hasn’t taken Cafuné to the vet for a long time. The boy was quite busy lately and forgot to look after his pet. He wasn’t giving him fresh water, showering him, care or even attention.
The boy felt so sad and worried… Suddenly, he heard his mom scream:
- Horácio!
The dog/boy ran, stumbled on a rock and… woke up on his bed… He then saw Cafuné licking his legs. He was back being his oldself; the same boy as before!
Horácio’s spirit-protector was there; by his side. He was feeling quite happy with the lesson the little boy learned on that evening.
Claudia Schmidt
Translator: Viviane Ferreira
[Have fun!] [Beginning]
The Three Little Pigs Comet, Cupid and Rudolph are now adults. Each of them decided to build their own house, which would be the home for their family in the future. Comet built a house of straw. As soon as he finished it, he decided to go to sleep which is what he likes the most. His mom is no longer around him to remind how lazy he was being.
Cupid was a bit more organised than his brother and decided to build a house of sticks to endure bad weather. As soon as he finished building it, he went to rest as he was so tired.
Rudolph, on the other hand, worked for several weeks and built a house of hard bricks which was very safe. His new home was beautiful and safe just as his old home. As soon as he finished it, Rudolph decided to invite his mom to visit him.
They soon found out a wolf lived nearby. They thought he was a very bad one, but they were wrong. Zoe, the big wolf, was quite elderly. He had big ears and a long nose, which made him look bad. He was actually a very nice wolf who was very quiet and didn’t have many friends.
Everything was going quite well with them until spring, the most beautiful of all seasons, arrived. What was the problem? The problem was that Zoe had flower pollen allergy.
He sneezes and coughs a lot. He also has itchy and red eyes. Sometimes his whole body would itch a lot.
When the symptoms first appeared, Zoe would go to the doctor, Mr. Orestes, who was his GP for many, many years. On his way back home, he went to a Pharmacy and bought the medicine.
He sneezed throughout the whole path. His nose was really red and his body was itching. Who saw him in the streets probably thought he was quite weird: he looked quite ugly and angry, since he coughed and itched all the time.
As soon as he got home, the wolf got a glass of water in order to drink his medicine. He then realised the wrong medication was given to him at the Pharmacy. Zoe actually got a medicine for stomach ache, rather than hay fever.
Zoe decided to ask his new neighbours, the three little pigs, for help. If he had to go back to the Pharmacy, he would get much worse since there were lots of flowers on the way.
He went to Comet’s house first to ask his neighbour to change the medication to the right one. Whilst he waited for the little pig to open the door, he felt the need to sneeze. He sneezed once, twice, three times... When he stopped sneezing he realised he destroyed the little pig’s home.
The poor wolf was not even able to apologize to the little pig, since he ran away to Cupid’s home.
Zoe was still feeling really sick and decided to go to Cupid’s house to ask for help. He was going to be more careful this time to avoid destroying this neighbour’s house.
Zoe got closer to Cupid’s place and called his neighbour. Since his voice was quite weak due to the hay fever, he thought no one heard his cries for help. He then decided to come even closer to Cupid’s front door and knock at it. He then started to cough really, really load and quite strongly. When he stopped coughing, he realised his neighbour’s home had been destroyed. The two little pigs were running away from him since they were really scared of him.
The wolf, for instance, got very upset for what happened. Therefore, he decided to go to Rudolph’s house. He wanted not just to ask them to help him get the right medication, but also apologise for what happened. He also wanted to say to them that as soon as he got better from the hay fever he would help them reconstruct their homes.
As soon as he arrived at Rudolph’s house, he knocked at the door and waited. He sneezed a bit whilst he waited for them and scratched his nose. It was now looking even more reddish than before. No one opened the door, but he decided to knock at it again. Rudolph came to the window after a while and shouted:
- Please go away, wolf. You won’t be able to destroy this house! We are safe here! You won’t be able to eat us for dinner!
The wolf then explained that he was just an old sick wolf who was looking for help. He wanted someone to go to the Pharmacy to exchange the medicine he bought earlier on for a hay fever one.
- Please, I can’t stop sneezing and coughing. My nose itches and my eyes are really red because I am scratching it so often. Please help! If I could go to the Pharmacy, I would! Otherwise, I will get worse!
The three little pigs couldn’t trust him. They were reluctant to open the door. The old wolf begged them, one more time, whilst he was coughing:
- Please help me. I have hay fever; I need my medication...
The three little pigs looked at the wolf for a while. He seemed like he was very angry. He was also coughing quite intensively.
Rudolph reminded his brothers they should not judge others by their looks. They thought for a while and decided to let the wolf inside. They would then hear what he had to say.
The poor old wolf thanked them and said he had hay fever since childhood. He needed help to get his medicine.
The three little pigs realised the wolf wasn’t as bad as they thought. Although he looked weird, he was a very nice wolf.
Comet then went quickly to the Pharmacy and brought the medication to Zoe. The wolf took the medicine straight away and started to feel better. He thanked them for all help received and apologised for the issues he caused earlier. He promised to the three little pigs he would rebuild the homes he destroyed. They all laughed together when the wolf said his nickname used to be Sneezy when he was a child. Just like the one of the Seven Dwarfs from Snow White.
Rudolph offered fruit juice to all of them. They then went on to sit at the library, far away from the flower pollen. The three little pigs and the wolf now became good friends.
The three little pigs are now always telling their children this story. They want them to realise we should never judge someone by the way they look since could miss out on getting to know a very nice person and becoming friends with him/her. Besides, Comet and Cupid learned that when we need to do something, it is important to do it with care and dedication as their mother thought them. Their houses were not well-constructed and had to be rebuilt because of that.
This story was adapted from The Story of the Three Little Pigs (by Joseph Jacobs).
[Click here] to see and download the PowerPoint which can be used to tell the story.
[Click here] drawings created by Cleusa Lupatini – Spiritist Teacher - Grupo Espírita Seara do Mestre - Santo Ângelo/RS
[Click here] drawings created by Sherazade Gomes – Spiritist Teacher - spiritist centre Centro Espírita Francisco de Assis - Eunápolis/BA
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Once upon a time, a nice, kind and gentle animal lived in the forest with close to other neighbour animals.
[Click here] to see the drawing
One day she was walking around close to some stones. She then saw a broken skate and a tiny ant crying. The ant was called Giddy. She was learning how to skate, fell on the floor and hurt her leg. She ended up destroying her ant colony. Pixy looked after her wound and took her home until the ant colony was fixed by the neighbours. That was a brilliant idea since the ant healed quite quickly. They became friends and enjoyed each others’ company. (please glue a part of the centipede in the board)
One afternoon, Giddy was walking close to a river when she heard a weird noise: Myrtle the turtle was crying. Pixy decided to find out the reason for the sadness and help her somehow. The turtle said she lost her hat during the windstorm from the night before. Her hat protected her from the cold. Without the hat, she would get a cold. Pixy soon solved the problem: she borrowed her had to Giddy until she found hers. The turtle was really thankful and promised to return the hat to Pixy as soon as possible. (please glue a part of the centipede in the board)
On a beautiful sunny morning, Pixy was walking peacefully through the forest. She then saw Vivi. Vivi, the cat, was a bit frightened and completely wet. She lost her little sister Dada whilst they were both going to visit a cousin. Pixy suddenly called all other animals in the surroundings to help them find Dada. With their help, the little cat was soon found. Both sisters were then able to keep their journey together, happily. (please glue a part of the centipede in the board)
One night Pixy was admiring the full moon. She then heard her neighbour crying. He was a dog called Max who just lost his favourite bone. Pixy thought for a while and soon took her lantern out to search for it. She then lighted up the path Max went through. They were able to find his bone in the middle of the flowers. The dog was really happy and thankful for the help he received from his neighbour. (please glue a part of the centipede in the board)
On the other day, Pixy heard some screams when she was getting closer to the forest’s library. She then took a close attention to it and realised some screams came from the middle of some liana which were laying on the floor. She looked close at it and saw a snail trapped in the middle of it. Pixy kindly pulled it from the liana. He thanked her so much for doing that to him. (please glue a part of the centipede in the board)
Pixy got two books from the library. She was going back home peacefully when she realised a cricket insect was crying for help: he was playing at a puddle of water but didn’t realise one of the sides of the puddle was too deep. Zaire fall into the water, but didn’t know how to swim. Pixy threw a cord and pulled him out of the water. She saved him from drowning. He then gave her a big hug. (please glue a part of the centipede in the board)
One Saturday, Pixy was on her way to the Spiritist Teachings. She then realised Peter, her friend who is a frog, was very sad. He was sitting next to the lake, thinking about life. She decided to sit next to him to have a chat. She found out he was sad because his little sister was getting married at a very distant river. He missed her so much. Pixy heard her friend, explained that their love and friendship would still remain the same, as brother and sister. She also told him that it is normal to miss someone. He should make an effort to make new friends now. They agreed to visit Peter’s sister on the following week. The frog then opened a big smile at her. (please glue a part of the centipede in the board)
Every animal in the forest knew Pixy for her kindness and goodness. At her birthday, Pixy’s friends decided to compose a song and sang it to her. Pixy was so happy with this great surprise! She told them Jesus thought us all to help one another and that she felt really happy for being able to do what Jesus thought.
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Once upon a time there was a girl called Cindy who lived in a village with her family. She has a cousin called Leo who lived in a big town and loved to go to Cindy’s home every holiday. He liked to climb the trees, take baths in the river and run into the grass. But he did not know many things about country life and when someone tried to teach him something new, including about dangerous animals, he would say he did not need to know it. He lived in the city and came to the village rarely.
[Click here] Drawings created by Cleusa Lupatini – Spiritist Teacher - Grupo Espírita Seara do Mestre - Santo Ângelo/RS
Near Cindy’s place lived Mr. Joseph. He was a very kind neighbor who was known for his apiary.
One day Leo decided to go for a walk on his own. He then saw some boxes with insects flying around them and got very curious. The boy couldn’t resist and decided to throw some stones at it. The insects then flew in his direction. He was so lucky he found a tank full of water, entered inside and stayed there throwing water at the little bugs until they went away. One insect stung him, unfortunately.
Leo got very angry and promised himself revenge.
On the next day he woke up very early and went to the couch house to find something to kill the insects. He found a bottle labeled “DANGEROUS” with an odd looking liquid inside.
- I do not know what this is, but those bugs will see! – The boy said out loud. He then went to the boxes where the bugs that have persecuted and stung him last night were. He threw the poison and went back to the house to have breakfast with Cindy.
- I am hungry. This honey bread must be delicious.
After some hours, Mr. Joseph came to Cindy’s house feeling very sad because he found many dead bees.
Leo, who was near and heard the conversation, blushed and left the house. He went under a tree and stayed there thinking in the foolishness he had done, passing his hand in the sting. Cindy came and asked if something was wrong. She felt Leo was acting very strange today. The boy decided to tell her everything.
- Did you go mad? Those bugs you killed were bees that gave us the honey you like so much. They work a lot to produce it and deserve our respect. Besides honey, medicines are made of what they produce. There is other serious thing; children should not touch things they do not know. That liquid you got was poison and could have killed you! Think carefully about this and go to Mr. Joseph. You need to apologize and explain everything to him.
The boy has never felt so embarrassed, but did what his cousin said. Mr. Joseph forgave him and explained many things about bees, including about the Queen bee.
Cindy now understood that he did that because he did not have enough knowledge about nature. She decided to teach him some basic things about nature and life in the country side. Leo was astonished in knowing that the honey comes from the bees, the eggs comes from the chicken, the wool comes from sheep’s and so on...
After few lessons he became quite smart and began to get interested in learning more, especially about animals. He even began to say that would be a veterinary when he grows up.
Translator: Cristiane Pizzutti
Carolina von Scharten
[Beginning]
Conserve the life. Say no to the abortion! This was written in a small poster at a school. Anne stopped to look at the beautiful babies that were in that poster. Rodrigo, who was talking to her, stopped as well.
Claudia Schmidt
- I don’t understand why a mother kills a baby who grows in her own belly - thought loudly.
- Some people think while a baby is not born there is no life - answered Rodrigo.
- That’s ridiculous! Don’t they know that the immortal Spirit is joined to the body since the spermatozoon meets the ovule?
Anne was talking quite loudly. Other teenagers stopped for a moment to listen up to her.
- Women should have the rights about their own bodies! - interrupted a girl who was walking over there.
- Every day, we cry out for our rights, but what about the rights of our little ones? The baby is a different life from the mom’s life! Killing a baby is an act of murder! Human life is sacred. In every way, shape or form- Rafaela said.
They have heard the sign and the teenagers had to go to their classroom. While they were walking and talking, more students became interested in the subject.
- What if the mother doesn’t have money to look after the baby? What if the mother is our age? 15 or 16 years old? – Someone wondered
- The mother should have taken care not to get pregnant. When a girl has a "crisis pregnancy," it's time to LOVE THEM BOTH... both mother and child. It’s not a good solution to kill someone who can’t defend him or herself. Have you already pondered for a moment the fact that our moms choose to have us as their children. What if they decided to abort us? – Rodrigo replied.
After he said that to the whole group, there were some silent seconds until Rafaela started talking again:
- There are many people who want to legalize abortion nowadays… Some politicians want to authorize these types of murders, instead of clarifying the mass population in regards to contraceptive methods, planned parenting and the creation of the right conditions for kids to be born in families where parents have jobs and are able to maintain themselves.
The teacher realized the group was quite interested in this topic and decided to entered into the conversation.
- Have you guys heard the story of Michael Clancy? During a spina bifida corrective procedure at twenty-one weeks in utero, baby Samuel thrusts his tiny hand out of the surgical opening of his mother's uterus. As the doctor lifts his hand, baby Samuel reacts to the touch and squeezes the doctor's finger. As if testing for strength, the doctor shakes the tiny fist. Baby Samuel held firm. At that moment, Michael Clancy took a picture called "Fetal Hand Grasp" photo. The baby was alive and wanted to continue living!
The teenagers didn’t know the picture used in many campaigns against abortion. The teacher promised to bring it in the next class.
- What if anyone had already done an abortion. What shall they do? – Anne asked the teacher. She still wasn’t able to understand the reasons why someone killed a baby.
The question had several answers: give care and material things to needy kids, engage in campaigns against the abortion, do volunteer work, adopt orphans kids... One of the students said that, instead of feeling sorry for themselves, they should do good to others.
Since the class was still quite curious about the subject, the teacher encouraged students to write down any questions they might have and make sentences to be commented. They researched, interviewed authorities, scientists, religious and promoted in schools around town an important campaign against the legalization of abortion. They have also created a play. Everyone had a chance to participate on this campaign for the preservation of life.
Translator: Viviane Ferreira
[Beginning]
Near the place where Zequinha lives with his parents there is a small river, which used to be much bigger years ago. Zequinha’s daddy usually says that he used to fish a lot in this river when he was a kid. After that the fish started disappearing, and nowadays it’s really hard for someone to find fish in it.
Cleusa Lupatini
This river was partially responsible for the water that would be distributed into the city. Unfortunately many people have wasted this gift from God and haven’t thought about the consequences of their attitude. Zequinha has also wasted water. Every time he took a shower his mom had to drag his attention: “Zequinha, that’s enough. You have already finished your shower. Please stop waiting water. Thank you!
He never turned off tap while cleaning his teeth or washing his face. He even wasted a lot of water when he washed his hands since he never made sure the tap was properly closed. There were always water leaks dropping from it.
His mom always had to pay a close attention to his behaviour. He used to tell her: “All right, I’ll get some coins from my pig bank to help you paying the water bill! He thought his mom complained with him because of money.
On the next day his dad taught him that is important not waste money, but even more important was not to waste water. He told him that all of us should know how to use this treasure God gave us because we are going to need it forever.
But Zequinha didn’t seem to be very interested… He didn’t even care to throw rubbish in the bin. He would even throw rubbish in public places; such as his local river.
One day, Zequinha had a dream while sleeping. It was actually a nightmare! He was walking on the river’s bridge on his way back from school. He threw a plastic cup into the river. He stared at the water and circles that were formed by the plastic cup since it submerged into the water. Then, out of a sudden, something weird happened… The river looked angry, agitated and made a noise that resembled someone moaning.
The boy couldn’t get what was going on, since the water had an odd shape. He could see eyes and mouths which were formed among that moving water quite clearly. This form of face than talked to him: “I am the water guardian and I am getting pretty sad with all these things that have been happening! People don’t respect the rivers. Many people think that they are big trash storehouses. They forget that garbage should be put in the rubbish bin! Think about what you are doing, the way the water has been used and never ever throw away anything in the rivers! If you behave in a disrespectful way towards the rivers, you are disrespecting our Great Father, because He gave us water for us to use it with wisdom. Think, think, think…
Suddenly the big bubble started to disappear. The voice started to vanish… The river then threw the plastic cup away. Instead of a river, Zequinha could just see dry soil. It was as if the river left out of nowhere!
Zequinha trembled just like a leaf. The sun was really hot and he began to feel thirsty. He then woke up: “Oh!! What a terrible nightmare, I need to drink some water!”. While he was drinking water, he started thinking about his dream and immediately closed the tap.
On that morning, he told his dream to his mom. He said that from now onwards he could understand why she used to complain so much about his water waste.
Zequinha learned great lesson and within the next few days everybody could see a difference in his attitudes. He started to ask his friends and classmates to be more respectful towards water, such a wonderful gift from God.
Translator: Viviane Ferreira
[Beginning]
Once upon a time there was a parakeet called Currupaco. It lived in a very tall tree and it was known by that name because it used to mock other animals from the neighborhood, besides talking a lot.
Camille Scholl
One Day, Currupaco saw Mrs Duck running out of breath, trying to get rid of some flies that were annoying it.
- Go away, flies, please leave me alone! You are disturbing my work!
The parakeet found that scene very funny and began to imitate Mrs. Duck. It pretended it was the duck’s shadow and repeated everything the poor little Duck was saying.
- Stop imitating me, your nosy parakeet! – says Mrs Duck. Unfortunately, that did not work, because the parakeet was enjoying the new trick.
The flies finally decided to go way. Currupaco, after feeling quite tired, left as well.
The wiser baboon Roni, who was a very smart monkey, watched everything from distance and decided to talk to Currupaco.
- My friend! Why have you done this with Mrs. Duck, and with all other animals in the forest? I have observed the way you mock, tease, disturb everyone’s life. We should not act like that!
Currupaco didn’t care about the baboon’s advice and then began to imitate the monkey too. Roni went away, but before it left a message:
- We can not buy friendship. We have to conquer it with kindness and respect. If you behave this way you will never have friends. The baboon then asked a question that made the parakeet ponder….
- Do you have friends?
After thinking a lot, Currupaco realized that the monkey was right. He never had one single friend.
- Firstly, I need to apologize to whom I hurt. After that, I will treat all my mates with respect. I won’t repeat the mistakes I have made so far. I will also help everyone too.
By changing his behaviour, the parakeet Currupaco became close friends with every animal in the neighborhood. It learned that it was much happier now since he was acting quite different than before; treating everyone with kindness and love.
drawings created by Sherazade Gomes – Spiritist Teacher - spiritist centre Centro Espírita Francisco de Assis - Eunápolis/BA
Translator: Cristiane Pizzutti
[Drawings] [Have fun!] [Beginning]
Has anyone ever heard off a tree that, besides bearing fruits and flowers, also provided food? I mean, bean, rice, meat, salad? Well, that tree really existed once…. It was a very special tree because it relates to the beginning of a beautiful story.
Claudia Schmidt
Once upon a time, there was a lady called Mary who was a spiritist and a very generous woman. Mary was always concerned with the people who were in hunger, near her house. One day, she found a way to help them: in front of her house there was a beautiful tree and every day she hanged a bag on that tree. Inside this bag she placed different sorts of food in milk boxes which were previously cleaned and carefully stowed: rice, bean, bread, meat and whatever else she prepared for her own lunch.
One day, Mary realized the bag with food vanished as soon as it was placed on the tree. She felt so curious she started to peek what was happening. She then saw that a child who was about six years old, wearing torn clothes. This child was there, waiting for the food to come. Once the food was placed inside the bag, the child would get it and eat it eagerly under the shadow of the tree.
His name was Titus. This child lived nearby with his mother. She was a widow and had other three boys older than Titus. At home, there was not much food around which is the reason why Titus always expected anxiously for the food lady Mary prepared.
Lady Mary decided to approach the boy in order to help him. She started to chat with him and soon later they get acquainted. She promised him a chocolate cake for the next day.
They were soon having lunch together. Lady Mary improved the quality of the food so the boy could grow strong and healthy. When Ruth, Titus’ mother, fell ill and could not work, Lady Mary prepared more food so Ruth and Titus’ brothers could have lunch too.
In the next coming years, Lady Mary encouraged Titus to study. She gave him school material and followed closely his school progress.
Titus’ family has also been helped. They were sent to the Spiritist Center that Lady Mary went every week. There they received clothes, food, educational and spiritual guidance. Ruth started to work at Dona Maria’s house helping her in the home tasks. They became really close friends.
The two women attended together the study groups in the Spiritist Center. Titus attended the classes of spiritist education with great joy. The boy was growing up in age and knowledge; he was a dedicated student and always showed, with proud, the school report to Lady Mary. She was delighted to find out the boy was a first class student. As the time went by, the friendship between Lady Mary Titus grew stronger….
Some years passed by and Titus got his first job in a factory near his house. Lady Mary was the first one to find out about it. She was also the first one to know about his decision to work at the spiritist center, which was a great joy for Lady Mary.
Many years passed by. Lady Mary became a friendly old lady and Titus became a responsible, charitable and honest man.
When Dona Maria fell ill, Titus and his girlfriend looked after her for a long time. Lady Mary’s last words were directed to both of them:
“I am so glad you are with me today. It is really true: everything good we do, will always come back to us, in return.”
[Beginning]
“What if Jesus comes to visit me?” I have got homework for my religious class which is about this question... It counts two points in my grades... I have got to do it. But, first, shouldn’t I think what does Jesus think about me?
Since I think he knows me, I would start by saying in order to impress Him that I know I am a Spirit who incarnated in a body to learn and evolve. I would also mention I have chosen my parents before reincarnate. I would also say that I am trying to develop those qualities that He thought when he was here, more than two thousand years ago, like charity, love, respect, forgiveness, patience...
I know that I am a good student. I study hard and I obey my teachers but, will I have to show Him my room? I think he will not care the mess in my room… He wouldn’t approve the war games I have got in my computer... And what if he wants to see my grades?
What if he starts questioning me? What if He asks about my fights with my sister? Should I have to tell Him I reckon I am a little impatient with her and, often, it’s me who begins the quarrels?
What about my friends? What shall I say to Jesus? I have many friends. Although we are different, we get along very well. We don’t fight and, usually, I don’t gossip about them, unless some hot ones... But what about those boys of that gang I don’t like? What should I say? I must think about this.
I’m gonna say that I am an honest boy: I don’t lie, I don’t steal, and I don’t borrow things without permission. And I don’t cheat in, because I believe it’s always better to tell the truth.
What my parents? Well, yes, I obey them, although I complain a lot about doing my chores, or taking a shower, doing my bed...
I always do my prayers, and I thank God for all I have: my family, my home, my school, my friends, my clothes and, of course, my toys. But I think that I will have to promise Him that when my father says: "Turn off the PC now", I will turn it off on the spot and not half an hour later.
What if He asks me if I know the consequences of my attitudes? Well, in most situations yes I do. I know the law of cause and effect, the law of reincarnation and also the law of love to my neighbor and to God. I know I fail sometimes, but I think I’m I trying to live this life to learn good values and be a nice guy.
Indeed, God has been kind to me; kind in sending Jesus, our elder brother to show us the good way... I will say this to Jesus, too. And thank Him for embodying on Earth to teach us how to love and to evolve.
I think that I’ll also ask Jesus to help me to follow the path of good, and to be more related to my protector Spirit, so he can intuit me on that way.
I wonder if I can hug Him to thank the visit!
And you, did you realize what you would say if Jesus comes to visit you?
Wow, just answering all these questions, I realize that I have done my homework. Thanks Jesus!
Claudia Schmidt
[Beginning]
Tim arrived at the pediatric clinic with a sad and distant look. His grandmother soon was saying to the pediatrician that he should be sick, because he wasn’t eating well.
The pediatrician, a young and sympathetic female doctor, began to talk with the child, while examining him. Tim told her how much he was missing his mother, who died a few months ago.
They continued to talk for a while. After a short moment of silence, Tim sighed and said resentfully:
- I hate God! He took my mother away!
The pediatrician carefully noted how difficult it was for the child to talk about the death of his mother.
The Doctor tried to comfort him. She told Tim God had also taken her mother when she was still a little girl. She said she now understands each person has certain period of life time on Earth. They also need to departure at the right time, when their time comes. She saw that the boy was paying attention and decided to continue:
- God took my mother and yours. He must be taking very good care of them, don’t you think so? I’m sure that they are now in a very nice place with houses, schools, flowers and trees. They must be studying and working, together with other mothers and fathers. They are watching and taking care of us from wherever they are because we still are their children.
Tim and his grandmother continued to look at the pediatrician very attentively and without saying anything as she concluded:
- Did you know that you can pray, asking to meet your mother during your sleep? Sometimes I do that and I know that it really happens; that we talk and that she embraces me during my sleep. I may not remember the dream next morning, but I always wake up feeling joyful and with the assurance that I was with her.
Tim remained muted until the end of the consultation. When he left, the pediatrician stood thinking how good it would be if he knew the Spiritist Doctrine. It would be so good if he could understand that life does not end with the death of the physical body. In the Spiritual World, the Spirit follows its evolutionary journey and that the bonds of love that unite us to our beloved ones, do not end.
The pediatrician met Tim’s grandmother a few days later. The grandmother told her that the child, as soon as he left the clinic, asked: “Grandmother, do you think it is true what the pediatrician said about me meeting mom?” When the grandmother replied that she was absolutely sure that everything was as it was said, she saw a timid smile on Tim’s face.
She also said that both, grandmother and grandchild, started to pray for Tim’s mother to meet him during his sleep.
- Tim is getting better now; he is more joyous and eating normally, said the grandmother smiling. - Now when someone wonders about his mother, he always answers: "God is taking care of her!"
This story is based on real facts. It warns us to be careful about what we say to children in the death of a loved relative. If we lie, say he/she had traveled or even "blame God" for their death, these types of attitudes may mark them for life. It is always better to tell them the truth, emphasizing God’s love and wisdom, and the justice of His laws.
Claudia Schmidt
[Beginning]
– “Mother, can you please give me a mobile?
– Lara was asking her mother once again for the same thing.
– “Lara, we’ve already talked about this matter...” said her mother.
– “But, mother, I need one very badly...” said the girl, insisting that she must have one.
– “Is that so? Well, let’s do a test. Now, take a pen and a piece of paper and start writing everything you think you MUST have. – challenged her mother.
Lara decided to take on the challenge. On the next day, Lara’s list was already enormous. Influenced by TV ads and persuaded by her friends, she demanded not only the mobile, but also some toys, some coloring pens, Disney clothes, the YES shampoo, candies and many, many things more .
– “Now – said her mother – the next step for you is to cross out everything that YOU think we don’t have enough money to buy. Remember that we must pay the mortgage, your school, the water and light bills… Please don’t forget that we need food for all month long.”
– “Right – said Lara – I understood your point.”
She began, then, to cross out the Disney clothes, the expensive tennis shoe and many other things she thought her father wouldn’t have money to buy. After she crossed these things out of the list, her mother explained to her she should evaluate the USEFULNESS and NEED of things. Were the coloring pens REALLY necessary? What about the toys? She thought for a moment if she really needed them, since she already have some coloring pencils in her school bag? Lara’s list got shorter, as she c crossed out many things.
– “Right, –Lara’s mother said – you now have to cross out everything you want just because your friends have or because they are cool or fashioned.
Lara pondered for a moment. After a few minutes, there were only a few things remaining in the long list Clara had written. Her mother than asked her again:
– “Now, my dear, are the remained things REALLY important to you?
The girl started thinking...
– “Did you realize, honey, that the things we think we need aren’t really necessary or important?
– “Yes, the girl replied – but we need many things to survive...”
– “It’s true –her mother agreed. “But sometimes we imagine we need objects that are superfluous or we can’t afford. It’s not wrong to want some comfort and to benefit from what we have. But life’s main goal isn’t to possess material things.”
– “We are worth for what we ARE and not for what we HAVE, isn’t that mother?”
– “That’s right, – said Lara’s mother affectionately. Each person should be loved for what she is and for what she does to earn the virtues taught by Jesus: love, peace, forgiveness, charity… The real happiness does not rely on what we can buy, but on the peace and love that we have in our hearts.
Thus, Lara understood that she was asking for something superficial for her life.
Mother and daughter agreed Lara won’t get a mobile just because it is fashioned or because her friends have one. When she really has the need for one and if her parents could afford to buy one, she will get it.
Cláudia Schmidt
[Have fun!] [Beginning]
Once upon a time, an elephant called Zezé was unhappy. He found himself overweighed and awkward. He actually wanted to look like the giraffe Filó. However when he confided to her friend Filó his dream of being slender and elegant like she was, she discovered that Filó found herself too tall and did not like her neck. She told him she dreamed of looking like Lico, the deer: agile, swift and with the right body.
Zezé and Filó decided to look for Lico. They then discovered he considered himself too weak and he dreamed of being as strong as Ian, the lion. The group decided to overcome their fear and search for Ian. They wanted to ask him how it was to be strongest; the king of the forest. But they found him sad and solitary. Ian told them he had few friends because he was known for being furious and everyone was afraid of being eaten by him.
The group were unsuccessful in finding out who was the best animal. They decided to conduct a beauty contest to select the most beautiful; the ideal animal of the forest. They search for Zilá, the owl, to establish together the contest rules.
Zilá was a scholar in animal behavior and surprised them with what she said:
- What matters who is the most beautiful, the ideal animal? God created each animal in a special way, each one with his own characteristics. And there is the beauty of creation. Have you already thought what would happen if there were only lions; or only giraffes?
Zilá also explained that each animal has his own virtues and it is important that each one accepts himself the way he or she is. We need to appraise the goodness each one has and strive to become someone even better, developing qualities such as love, forgiveness, respect and friendship.
Zezé, Filó, Lico and Ian thought about what Zilá had said and decided not to conduct the beauty contest.
Zezé stopped complaining about his weight and started a diet program. Filó accepted herself as she was; tall and slender. Lico became more joyous and satisfied with his life and Ian now tries to be a sympathetic and even-tempered lion, trying to get along with new friends.
Thus, everyone is cooperating in their own way, eager to make the forest a better place to live in.
Claudia Schmidt
[Beginning]