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.
You will also find stories from Célia Xavier Camargo displayed here below. These stories are highlighted in
red and split by subject.
Her stories are also found at the weekly online
spiritist magazine O Consolador.
They are always published in Portuguese, English and Spanish.
Johnny and Peter went to a supermarket. Johnny and Peter stole two chocolate bars each. Let’s travel through time and find out what happened to them…
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 always 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 suffered a lot over there, felt lonely and afraid. 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: 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 thought of his children, since he wanted to be a good example for them to follow.
When Peter disincarnated, he could see that his effort to be an honest person was worth it. Looking at his life, he realized he made the right decision by leading a life based on honesty. Peter acquired the virtue of honesty, which is a virtue that he will take the next reincarnations.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Every time he arrives home after school, Davis tries not to make any noise. He once came in forefoot, afraid of facing his mother. However, he wasn’t able to get away unnoticed:
- Where have you been, son?
- Well, Mom! I have been at school, of course!
- Davis, your classes ended at 5 and it’s already 7 o'clock. What have you done all this time?
The lady was ready to hear her child’s explanations that were quite frequent in recent days. Davis made an innocent face and replied:
- Oh, Mom! Do I need to tell you wherever I go to? I was with my friends!
- What friends?
- A cool group that I met some time ago.
Since his father would soon arrive home and she was late with the meal, the lady ended the conversation by saying:
- We'll talk about it later, my son. Take your shower now and don’t be late for dinner. Today is our Gospel at home practice, remember?
The boy nodded, happy to be rid of the reprimand. They sat down after dinner to do the Gospel together: Father Eugene, mother Clarice, 6 year old Luciana and Davis. The lesson of the night was:
"The tree which produces bad fruit is not good and the tree produces good fruit is not bad, so each tree is known by its fruit. Do not harvest fruit in the brambles, or bunches of grapes on brambles. A good man draws good things from the good treasure of his heart and takes the bad man of the evil treasure of his heart, because the mouth speaks what the heart is full." (Luke 6:43 to 45.). Clarice explained, as soon as they commented on the lesson.:
- Jesus meant by these words that our behavior will tell others who we are. Hence the importance of our example everywhere: at school, at work, on the street, at home. If we do behave badly, either through words or deeds, we will be demonstrating to everyone that we came from a bad tree. This shows what we bring inside as our thoughts, which translates into negative attitudes.
Luciana, who overheard the conversation her mom had with her brother, remembered:
- Mommy, yesterday I saw Davis with a weird bunch of kids! These boys were boys, with their hair dyed in bright colors and wore earrings.
Davis, who listened in silence, replied irritably:
- You are such a gossiper, Luciana! They are cool friends.
The father intervened promptly:
- Calm down, my children! It’s not the time to discuss this problem. Our weekly meeting is not a court where we analyze people's attitudes. Moreover, Luciana, we can’t judge people based on their appearance. What is important is what the person is inside. Davis’ friends can be great guys. The truth is that we don’t know them yet.
Davis looked at him, thankful for the help received, while Luciana grimaced at her brother. The mother, in conclusion, told him fondly:
- Parents always want the best for their children. If we often seem harsh, is because we want to give you the best education possible so that nobody will say that you are the fruit of a rotten tree. Especially you, Davis, who is now twelve years old. You must be very careful about the friends you choose to be around, because there is all kinds of evil and addictions around. But, we trust you, who received the good seed of the Gospel of Jesus. We are sure you will always act your best according to your consciences.
Clarice made a prayer and the meeting was concluded. On the next day, Davis’ friends arranged a night out. The boy promised he would talk to his parents.
He decided to go straight home once his class was finished. The mother was pleased, thinking it was the result of the conversation they had on the previous day.
Davis said, finding an opportune moment:
- Dad, Mom, I want to go out tonight with the gang. After all, I am twelve years old.
The couple exchanged a worried look. Eugene said:
- Where are you going?
- We are only going to eat a sandwich, daddy. A new coffee shop was opened and we want to go there. I promise I'll be right back. Please, Dad, let me go!
- Okay, son but don’t stay there until very late! - the father agreed, giving him some money.
Davis got up and went out to meet friends, feeling quite happy.
- Where are we going? – he asked Victor, the leader of the gang.
- We are going to "hang out" somewhere. Wait and see. You won’t regret it.
Davis didn’t understand, but remained silent. The gang of four boys was older than him, more experienced and he was proud to have been accepted by them.
They soon undergone a parked car and the leader gave a chuckle:
- This car belongs to the Science teacher.
The boys surrounded the car and emptied the tires completely, to Davis’ astonishment.
Later on Victor pulled out a spray from his jacket. He then began to spray paint a wall that was just repainted. Davis was now horrified. He wasn’t recognizing his friends. They passed by a phone booth later and broke it.
When he saw the vandalism of his friends, Davis remembered the lesson of the previous day. Certainly those fruits didn’t come from good trees. Despite his fear of the leader, who was a strong and aggressive boy, he decided to call a halt:
- I'm out - he said.
- How so? – Victor asked, amazed.
- You got it. If this is the kind of thing you usually do, you are not my friends or friends of anyone. I'm out. Goodbye.
He turned around, without worrying about the reaction of the group. He then returned home. He was sad and disappointed, but at the same time, proud to have had the courage to take action.
Once he entered in the house, his mother asked, surprised:
- Hey! You are back so early?!...
- Yeah, Mom. I found out that the best sandwich I could ever eat is still yours.
- And what about your friends? - The father asked, surprised.
- They were there. I realized they are not for me. They are not good fruit.
He then ate the sandwich his mother prepared with great care.
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Top]
Jacek was the naughtiest child among all the neighborhood kids. He was full of energy and always inventing something to do. Sometimes he was on the roof of the house, risking falling and breaking his neck. Other times he was on the fence with the neighbor's stirring the people passing by on the street. He also liked to take fruit from the orchard that belonged to Joseph in secret. At other times he went tearing away nests in trees from poor defenseless birds, destroying them later, for the sake of destroying.
The boys in the street feared him; they wouldn’t want to play with him, in order to prevent fights and trouble. Jacek's mother always gave him good advice, but he laughed.
Joan tried to make him change his life, and explained to Jacek that he should not act misbehave, causing confusion and enmity.
When was the day of the Gospel at home practice, Joan sought to attract Jacek to the meeting. She knew that the prayers and readings from the Gospel passages could help him change his attitudes, but that didn’t seem to happen!
Jacek claimed he had unavoidable obligations and fled from the family. Joan felt sad and prayed with her heart full of emotion, begging the help of Jesus. She didn’t want her son to persist in evil and feared that he became increasingly worse over time.
She knew if she couldn’t instil in him healthy ideas of love, work, dedication, respect, compassion, etc.. while he was still a boy, later on it would be more difficult.
The response from the higher spheres was immediate, given her generous heart.
One day, Jacek fell off the wall, fracturing a leg bone, while fleeing from the owner of a farm where he had gone to steal fruit. As a result, he who never stopped at home, was forced to remain stuck in a wheelchair unable to walk for forty days.
Joan answered him with a smile, when Jacek complained of inactivity:
- Have patience, my son. This was the remedy that God found so that you could give a new direction to your life and rethink your attitudes.
She then completed satisfied, with a sigh of relief:
- It could have been much worse...
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Top]
Delbert was a five year old boy who couldn’t sit still. He was quite impatient, walked from one side to another, looking like he was suffering.
His mom asked, as she noticed her son’s behaviour:
- What is happening to my son?
He said, shaking in tears:
- My tummy hurts, Mommy! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! I can’t stand it anymore!
His mommy, full of tenderness, placed him on her lap and started to rub his tummy.
- Why am I suffering so much, mommy? Doesn’t the Father of Heaven like me anymore? – He asked, crying.
His mother explained:
- God loves all of us, my son, in the same way: you, me and others. We are the ones who, very often due to our actions, cause our own suffering.
She paused to see if the boy had understood and asked:
- Let's see, what did you eat today?
Delbert, who paid attention to what his mother said, frowned. He was trying to remember. He then stopped crying and replied:
- When I got up, I had a glass of milk and ate some cookies.
- Great! What did you have at lunchtime?
- I ate rice, beans, steak and potato chips. I enjoyed it so much!
- Very good! Was that it? Didn’t you forget something?
The boy concentrated and then added, satisfied:
- I had strawberry ice cream later on!
- That's right, Delbert. Is there anything else?
- No. That’s all I ate.
- Think carefully, my son!
Delbert couldn’t tell whether it was the look of his mother who seemed to know everything. He lowered his head, red faced, feeling ashamed. He recalled that in the afternoon, he went to the closet where his mother kept goodies to be shared with the family. He picked up a box of chocolates and ate everything, hiding behind the house.
He rubbed his hands, feeling afraid of his mother's reaction. He then told her what he had done.
She considered, without reproving the boy's behaviour.
- Can you see, Delbert? The pain wasn’t sent by God, my son. It’s a consequence of your gluttony. If you had shared the box of chocolates with your brothers you wouldn’t be feeling sick and pain.
They then heard the sound of a train nearby. They could hear the train whistle from distance:
Choo choo!!! Whoo whoo!!!
His mom decided to take advantage of this opportunity and explained to him:
- Can you hear the train whistle?
- Yes, I can.
- Well! The driver is communicating to everyone that the train is approaching the city and that we need to be careful. It is a warning! Pain is also a warning from our body telling us that something is not right and we must be careful, my son. Do you understand?
- I got it, Mom. Pain is our friend! Is that why we go to the doctor?
- Yes, son! When we are in trouble, we know the doctor can help us.
- So will we go to the doctor today?
His mom smiled, adding:
- There is no need in this case. The doctor knows you very well. He already knew you enjoy eating too much and had already prescribed a natural medication for such occasions. I'll now give you some drops that will help improve your body, thus relieving pain. Is that okay?
Delbert smiled, feeling confident and satisfied. He felt safe because the Father in Heaven loved him and because he had a good and wise mom.
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Top]
In a region far away there lived a very poor man. One day he was walking through the woods looking for firewood to sell at the edge of the road. He found a basket where there was a child within it.
He heard the faint cries of the newborn, which was carefully wrapped in a blanket. Filled with compassion, the man took the little baby and held it.
That man had a generous heart; he immediately decided to take him home. He was concerned because he led a very simple life. How would he take care of the baby, if sometimes he didn’t have enough food for himself? What if someone with more resources passed by that road, that could stay with him and offer him a better life?
However, he said loudly, hearing the wailing of the child who stared at him with his eyes wide open:
- I can’t leave him here exposed to the dangers. God will help me! Plus, I always wanted a son. It’s better to share my poverty with this child than leaving him here to an uncertain fate.
The baby quieted down and slept in peace, as if he understood the decision that the woodcutter had taken.
The man arrived home, opened the door and said:
- Look what I brought us home my wife!
The wife, curious, went over and opened the package that her husband brought in his arms. The baby slept quietly, and her heart was softened.
She exclaimed, full of joy:
- The child we always wanted to have! God heard our prayers!
She asked, distressed, as she was aware they didn’t have a lot of money to support themselves:
- But how are going to take care of the baby, John? We haven’t got enough food for us both! A child needs special care!
The husband replied, feeling confident:
- Don’t worry, Anna. If the Lord sent us this baby, He will certainly give us the means to sustain it.
It was a baby boy and they named him Benjamin.
From that day, everything changed. The house, sad and lifeless before he became, was now cheerful and full of laughter.
John felt more stimulated to work. He didn’t merely seek to sell firewood in the forest now. He sought other sources of income.
A nearby farmer got to know about baby Benjamin and sold him a goat for a moderate price that John could pay back whenever he could. This secured the baby’s milk.
Life was changing, but that wasn’t enough. What else could he do?
John, on the doorstep of his house, looked at the terrain that lay ahead of him and thought he could cultivate it. Thus, they would have vegetables and maybe some fruit.
He didn’t think twice. The man who sold him the goat got many seeds and seedlings for him. He was glad to see John interested in that new task.
John took the axe and knocked down some trees, clearing the ground. He then prepared seed-beds and threw the seeds in the soil. He planted the seedlings and grew them with love.
Soon, everything was different. As baby Benjamin grew strong and healthy, the plants were also developing in fertile land.
Within a short time, legumes and vegetables arose on the ground which was uncultivated and abandoned before. Fruit trees soon began to produce: they now had bananas, oranges, apples, mangoes and lemons. As the production was high, they have food but were also able to sell fruits, vegetables and greens surpluses.
Ann started to take more care of the house, like her husband, turning it into a home. Her heart was light with the new role of being a mother. She planted a garden and grew flowers that adorned and perfumed the environment.
Benjamin grew up learning to work with his father. He was an alive and intelligent boy. John told him how he was found abandoned when he was still a young child. He also mentioned the satisfaction of bringing him home, always saying:
- You are our very dear son. It was God who sent you to us.
Time passed by. Benjamin began attending school in the village. John and Ann were very concerned about his education. But, although they were not highly educated, they managed to teach the boy really important lessons to his life, like love of God and the Gospel of Jesus. He grew up knowing to value honesty, work, respect for others, forgiveness of offences and, above all, goodness.
Benjamin went to live in a big city to continue his studies when he was a teenager. Once he finished it, his parents were extremely happy. He returned home and said with emotion:
- Dad, I don’t know how to thank you for what you did for me. I was an abandoned child who could have died from hunger and cold, but thank goodness, I came to this house and have received much from both of you. Everything I am today I owe to you. Thank you!
The young man wiped away tears and looked at his father. John was already an old man. Benjamin embraced his father with deep love.
John felt moved and decided to take his son by the hand. He led him out of the house, where a beautiful panorama unfolded: the garden full of colourful flowers and fragrant; a little further to the left, orchard trees, with lots of fruit. On the right side, there were the vegetables produced abundantly.
- Can you see all this, my son?
- Yes, father. It's an image I can’t stop admiring. Our property is so beautiful!
- Well. None of that existed before you came here. Your mother and I were aged and weary of life. We had no disposition to fight.
He paused, wiped a tear, and continued:
- When you arrived, my son, you filled us with hope and courage. We had to feed you, clothe you; look after you. I had to work hard for that, but here is the result.
He embraced his son with great affection and pride, and pointed to the cultivated land:
- We own you all this! And I own you even more. I owe you, my son, the opportunity and blessing to be called DAD!
The mother, who wept, approached them. The three of them remained embraced for a long time.
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
Quack was a frog that was very well known and admired by everyone for his intelligence and wisdom.
He was the one who taught other frogs in the pond where he lived. However, there were those who envied him and wanted to hurt badly because he was so wise.
Croc was one of those. He was proud and selfish. He felt jealous whenever his brothers, the other frogs, showed affection for Quack. He could not admit that nobody was better than him.
He therefore decided to give him a lesson.
Croc knew that in the trunk of a certain tree lived a snake.
One day he invited Quack to go for a walk near that tree. Once they got there, he stopped and said:
- There are very appetizing earthworms in the trunk of that tree.
Quack jumped straight there but felt surprised to see when, inside the hole, there was a snake ready to pounce.
He got really scared! He jumped to the side and barely escaped, disappearing into the woods.
Croc was very disappointed because the wise Quack escaped from the snake. A few days later, Quack was looking for food in the woods when he saw some men who were headed for the pond armed with flashlights and nets. They were hunting frogs. They waited until nightfall to mercilessly kill the frogs.
Quack quickly returned to the pond and met Croc. He warned him of the danger he was running and also notified the others, warning them that they should hide as soon as possible.
So they did; they hided very well. Soon the men came and found no frogs around.
They searched for a long time... but the frogs were gone, so hunters went away very angry for not being able to hunt anything.
The frogs felt relieved and came out celebrating the victory, thanking Quack for saving their lives.
Croc was thoughtful. He approached Quack and asked why he warned them of the danger when it would have been easier for him to run away, abandoning them to their fate.
Quack said widening his big eyes:
- I learned that we should do unto others what we want others to do to us!
Croc meditated on these words and felt ashamed of the attitude he had before with Quack.
Croc asked for forgiveness, saying:
- You are truly wise and good. I now understand why everyone admires you.
From that day, they became true friends. Peace returned to reign in the pond.
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
Hello my friend!
It’s Easter Sunday! It is a very happy day because we then remember gifts, bunnies and chocolate eggs! However, the real Easter is none of this.
Do you know what Easter represents?
Originally, Easter is an annual feast of the Jews, who celebrate the departure of their people from slavery in Egypt.
Much later, it became an annual festival for Christians, because it was exactly in the Passover that Jesus was arrested and sentenced to die on the cross between two thieves. It was on a Friday.
On Sunday, Mary Magdalene and two other women went to the tomb taking flavors and herbs to anoint the body of Jesus but found it empty. Then Mary Magdalene saw Jesus and talked with him, realizing that he had risen.
Christians began celebrating Easter in Jesus’ memory, who returned in spirit and truth after his death.
This fact, known as the resurrection of Jesus, is one of the most important and decisive events, as it represents proof of the immortality of the soul, that Christ had preached.
As for the custom of giving eggs away, it comes from ancient times when pagans celebrated the return of spring by offering each other eggs, painted in bright colors. This habit still exists in certain countries.
And what does the rabbit got to do with this?
Many people see the bunny as a symbol of fertility, representing the renewal of life, as well as the egg itself.
And what about delicious chocolate eggs delicious?
Someone joined business with pleasure to boost sales in the period leading to Easter. This person invented chocolate eggs, that traders began selling with great success.
We can receive and eat chocolate eggs without any guilt. We can’t forget, however, that the meaning of Easter is very important for us Christians.
This Sunday morning, let us remember Jesus, thanking him for his life, leaving us with his example and his Gospel, which is the light in our souls.
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
Ronny, aged eight, was the terror of his neighborhood. He was always creating problems, wherever he was. Rebellious and irreverent, he fought with everybody.
His classmates avoided him at school. Wherever he went to, people would be unhappy with him due to his misbehaviour.
Once in the classroom, the teacher heard a scream. There then came a complaint:
- Teacher, Ronny threw my books down!
- Teacher, Ronny stole my lunch!
- Teacher, look at Ronny! He is teasing me!
There were lots of complaints about him: one after another one. It happened up until the teacher lost patience and asked the boy to leave the room.
The same problem happened on the streets. Ronny couldn’t play ball in peace with his neighbors. The game always ended in fights.
At home, then forget it! Ronny went kicking the door, hitting his younger siblings, disrespecting his mother, complaining about everything, breaking household items. As a result, he ended up being beaten by his father, who was always drunk.
Nobody could stand him anymore. Something had to be done!
The teacher, concerned, decided to change tactics. One day after class she called:
- Ronny, do you want to clean my garden for me please?
The boy agreed, satisfied. He accompanied the teacher to her house and was soon asking for the hoe.
- You will start to work soon, Ronny. We will have lunch together before that!
The boy sat down and ate heartily. He said when finished:
- Wow! This food is delicious. Thank you, ma'am. It's not every day we have good food like this at home.
The teacher looked at the boy, full of compassion. She never thought that he had so many problems at home.
- What about your dad, Ronny? What does he do?
- He stays at home all the time, drinking. He has been unemployed for months. He uses most of the money we have to buy liquor and locks himself in the bedroom. If a child makes any noise, he becomes violent. He then beats all of us up.
- Ah ... And what about your mother?
- My mother works a lot. She also needs to take care of my four siblings and has no time for me. She thinks I'm already well grown and I can handle myself well – he said wistfully.
The teacher felt a lump in her throat and her eyes moistened. Ronny went into the garden and began to uproot the weeds that grew in the middle of the grass.
Later, Naomi offered him a snack. When he finished his work, she gave him some money for the job he had done.
Ronny was euphoric. He never got so much money before!
- Thanks, teacher. I'll spend at the grocery store and take food home. Mom will be happy with me!
Naomi felt touched by boy’s attitude, who showed concern for the family.
She realized he had only one problem: Lack of love! He felt rejected, needed love and did everything to draw people's attention.
From that day on, Naomi started to treat him differently. Every morning she gave him a hug and told him how much she liked him.
During class, Naomi demonstrated her satisfaction, accompanied by a smile:
- You're doing really well, Ronny. Great! Keep it up. Congratulations!
She sometimes invited him for lunch and asked him to do small jobs, which she paid him for. She gave him new clothes, shoes, toys and books.
Teacher Naomi even took him for a walk, occasions on which she offered him an ice cream, a sandwich or a sweet.
The boy was happy. He felt important. He felt loved.
The teacher went even further. She visited Ronny’s home and talked with his mother, Candice.
As she knew the family’s difficulties, she helped his father get a job. Naomi also got Candice a new sewing machine for her to do small jobs. Thus, she would earn more, work less and could have more time to care for children.
Gradually, things were falling into place. Some time later, everyone could notice the change on Ronny’s behavior.
He was more tier, more cheerful and relaxed. He did not fight with anyone and did the lessons with care. No complaints!
The people, curious, asked the teacher:
- What did you do? How could change the behavior of friends in so little time? What was the magic formula that you used?
And the teacher replied with a smile:
- The magic formula? It's Jesus: A little bit of love!
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
Susan, a six year old child, was playing in the backyard of her house. She then saw her friend Eric on the other side of the fence. She was happy to see her neighbor and called him to play:
- Eric, come play with me please! I have just won a lovely colored ball!
The little boy jumped the fence to meet his friend, with his eyes shining with excitement.
Susan held the ball with her hands and the boy was delighted to see it.
It was a colourful plastic ball, which would attract the attention of any child. They began playing on the lawn.
Eric had a dog called Wander. The animal was caramel and white coloured, alive and intelligent, that liked to play and walk with them.
The dog suddenly saw the two children playing and had no doubt. He went through a hole in the fence and barked happily, wanting to participate in the game. He raced, jumped on the ball and his sharp claws reached it in the air.
To the amazement of the children and the dog, the beautiful colored ball fell on the grass, withered, empty, torn, while the dog yelped in frustration.
Susan, surprised, could not believe what she was seeing. One moment, the ball was in the air, full and beautiful. The next moment, it was empty and looked dull.
She felt angry over losing her new toy and began to cry, accusing Erik by accident:
- Can you see what you did?
- It wasn’t my fault, Susan. I am so sorry. It was Wander who wanted to play us. Poor dog! He also didn’t mean to destroy your ball. See how sad he is!
- I don’t care. The dog is yours and therefore it is your fault. Who let Wander into my backyard? You are no longer my friend from now on. Go away!
The boy and his dog were desolate. Eric tried to explain, but Susan didn’t let him speak. Despite the boy's tears and the howling dog, the girl didn’t reconsider her attitude.
She turned her back and came home very angry, while Eric and Wander stood still, feeling sad.
Susana, full of indignation, told her mother what had happened. She asked her to take action against the neighbor.
The lady, serene, said:
- My daughter, I understand you are grieving the loss of your ball. However, it's just a toy and, as I understand, it was no one’s fault. Your father will buy another one, stay calm.
- I don’t want another one! I want that ball! I will never talk to Eric again. I never want to see him!
Her mummy went silent, realizing that it would not make any difference to say anything else at that time.
Days passed by. Susan saw Eric leaning on the fence through the kitchen window. He looked really sad, but she still didn’t want to speak to him.
One day, a week later, her mother said:
- My daughter, I see you look a bit annoyed, you don’t seem to play more ...
- I don’t want to, Mom. It’s not fun to play on my own.
- Call Erik. He is on the other side of the fence - she suggested.
- No. I don’t want to.
- Isn’t he your best friend? You always had done so well!
- He was! He is no longer my friend.
The mother thought for a moment, called her daughter and considered:
- My daughter, friendship is a priceless treasure. You're losing this treasure because of a colorful plastic ball that spoiled your game? Think about it, please! You can find a similar ball to that in any store, but not a valuable friendship.
Susan looked thoughtful for a moment. She then decided to open the door and run into the yard. She approached the fence, asking:
- Do you want to play?
The boy, awkwardly, asked:
- Aren’t you angry with me any longer? After all, it’s my fault you lost your new ball, but don’t worry. I talked to my mom and she'll buy another one for you.
Susan smiled, as she had already forgotten the incident:
- It doesn’t matter. Your friendship is worth much more than that!
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
A teacher was once having difficulty explaining to their young students about taking care of their own physical body. She said:
- We must take care of our body so it can work well. Each organ has a specific function and works to implement its task, obeying to its overall harmony. For example, the heart is responsible for pumping blood, leading it to all parts of the body through the arteries; the stomach processes the food; kidneys filter the blood; the lungs take care of respiration. This is all under the command of the brain. Did you understand?
Students face looked with doubt, but Roger nodded, saying:
- No, I didn’t actually.
The teacher tried to explain again, but saw that they could not understand it.
She then had an idea. She asked them, based on the desire to undertake a project she had in mind:
- Do you have musical instruments at home?
Many children raised their hands.
- I have drums, teacher! - Roger said.
- And I have a little piano! - Aline said.
- I got an accordion! - Maurice shouted from the bottom of the room.
Thus, there appeared three trumpets, two flutes, a harp, a plate and two violas.
The teacher asked them to bring the instruments on the next day. The children obeyed, despite not knowing what the teacher’s intention was.
On the next day the children came carrying their musical instruments. Once they entered the room, the teacher explained:
- We will form a band with these tools. What do you think?
The kids loved it. The teacher ordered:
- Very good! Pay attention now, please! When I give way, you begin to play.
So she did it. She said "now" and everyone started playing at the same time.
It was a mess! A deafening roar filled the class. They all stopped at another sign from the teacher.
The students were horrified because of the infernal noise that was made.
- What did you think? - the teacher asked.
- Horrible! – Roger replied, to which everyone agreed.
The teacher smiled and explained:
- Actually, it was very bad. You need to learn to play along. We will only then have a beautiful and harmonious sound. But don’t worry. You'll learn!
From then she began to guide them, teaching how everyone should play their instruments until they were all tuned. Several days later, she decided to do a rehearsal when they were able to play together.
Under the rule of the teacher, they started playing what they had learned. It was beautiful! The sounds of the instruments were timed and in the exact measure; quite harmonious and pleasing to hear.
The children were amazed! They never hoped they were able to play so well.
They clapped, hugged and jumped feeling joy and satisfaction.
The teacher asked when the students settled down:
- Did you notice the difference? You see, now, each one played a different part of the same song, following order and discipline.
She paused and asked:
- Does this band have something to do with our physical bodies?
For her joy, it was Roger who said:
- Of course it does, teacher! I think musicians are like the organs of the body! I am the heart, because I play drums and give rhythm to the band!
- That's right! Congratulations, Roger!
The conductor is the brain that controls the body, right teacher? - another student said.
- Right! You understood it very well! So for the physical body to function well it is necessary for each part, each organ, to meet its function. Have you ever thought if every organ in the body worked how it wanted to? It would be chaos! So we have to take care of our hygiene, eating healthy, caring and protecting the body God has given us, to keep it healthy. Maintaining elevated thoughts, cultivating peace, having balance and spiritual health. Do you understand? Do you have any questions?
They all had understood the lesson.
From that day, the band was so successful that they began to perform at all school parties, appealing to everyone. They even named the band: BODY MUSIC.
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
It was a beautiful sunny Saturday. Henry was out walking with his father under the shade of trees in the municipal park.
Little Henry was quite thoughtful on this day. He was deeply impressed with some news that he saw the day before.
- Dad, how can there be people who kill other people? – he asked.
The father replied, holding his little hand:
- It's really sad, isn’t it, son? This is because men still carry evil at heart. If everybody loved each other like brothers, this would not happen. We would all be like one big family!
The boy was only six years, but very observant. He thought for a moment and replied:
- But just yesterday I saw in the news that a father was arrested because he injured his son! I thought all parents love their children!
They were passing by a bench at that time. His father asked:
- Let’s sit here and rest for a while.
The father looked at the boy, and continued:
- All people, Henry, are spirits in evolution. God, who is the Supreme Creator, created beings for evolution. Everyone progresses going through many lives and perfect themselves by becoming better beings. From all the way to the microbes, that we can’t see because they are very small, to the stars we behold in the distance, everything progresses.
The boy was surprised and began to ask:
- What about my kitten? What about the flowers of this garden? What about the fish that we saw in the lake?
The father smiled, adding:
- Everything progresses, my son: minerals, vegetables, animals and human beings. Everything evolves. When a human being commits evil, it means he/she still has much to learn. Over time, all people will become good and will just practice goodness: to themselves, to their neighbours and to the world they live.
- Ah...
- Therefore, we must respect nature, respect life.
Henry, who listened with great attention, recalled:
- But men kill animals to eat. Poor things!
- Yes, my son, but that's part of our culture and tends to disappear. The worst is that there are men who kill and destroy for pleasure. The animals will only kill to defend themselves or to satisfy their hunger. But man kills his own brothers, kills animals for sport; destroys the nature due to his ambition, burning forests, fouling rivers and polluting the cities.
The boy exclaimed, with a worried face:
- Wow, Daddy! I want to do something to help!
— Well, my son. We can all help preserve our planet for it to become better, cleaner and more pleasant. Do you know how? Giving an example of love and respect for life and showing other people how they should act.
Henry felt at that moment as a little man who was given a great task.
It was quite late and time to go home. They resumed walking. Henry saw a little girl and her mother coming in the opposite direction.
The girl, who had just bought an ice cream, un-wrapped the popsicles, throwing the packaging on the ground.
When mother and daughter approached Henry and his father, a small cricket emerged from the bushes, jumping between them. Their reactions were different. The girl ran to where the insect was, raising her foot threateningly to crush it.
Henry also ran, and soon threw himself on the floor. He managed to catch the cricket, before she could hit it with her foot.
Then he stood up, still panting, stroked the frightened cricket that was resting in the palm of his hand. He smiled with satisfaction and said:
- Why did you want to kill him? Let him live! He hasn’t done you any harm!
Mother and child stained with shame. Henry then looked at his father with pride, saying:
- We need to preserve life, right daddy?
Then they resumed their walk, without waiting for an answer.
He took a few steps, but still felt something was missing. He stopped, turned to the girl and added:
- And you should know that rubbish needs to go in the bin!
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
Lucy was once calmly walking along a road in the woods. She lived at a site nearby and walked to school everyday, which was located five hundred meters from her home. A huge snake suddenly appeared amongst the vegetation. It was located in the middle of the road, prepared to attack.
The girl stopped, initially frightened. She thought about going back home.
However, she remembered at that time everything she had learned previously. Her mother always told her that everything in nature is God's creation, and we should respect all forms of life, whether human, animal or vegetable.
She took care to keep a good distance from the snake, filled herself with courage and said to the reptile:
- My friend Cobra. I have nothing against you. We are all brothers, because we are children of one Father, God. I'm going to school and must pass through this place that you are occupying. Therefore if you are kind enough to let me pass, I'll be very grateful to you.
The girl's voice, calm and sweet, quieted the animal. It then slowly disappeared into the woods, seeming to understand what it was told.
Lucy was grateful to God for the protection she received from him; she then continued her journey to school.
Later on she was busy with school activities and forgot about the incident. A few hours later someone came to the school. It was a man who had rescued a boy. He said, although frightened:
- I was riding my horse on the road when I saw a kid in the distance, in front of me. He had a stick in his hand, and played pounding in the trees beside the road, scaring the birds and small animals. I saw it when a huge snake appeared before him. I wanted to warn him of the danger, screaming so he kept quiet, without making any sudden moves, but there was no time. The agile boy lifted the stick, trying to crush the snake. It was faster than him, however. The snake then stung him.
- How is the boy? – The teacher asked, worried.
- Fortunately, he was rescued on time. He is in the city hospital, under medical care. Since he was carrying a school bag, I realized he was a student who had "skipped" class. I decided to bring it to you. Here it is! - He said, handing the bag to the teacher.
- It belongs to Robert! I actually thought it was strange for him to fail from coming to school today! Thank you, sir. Have his parents already been informed?
- That’s exactly why I came here. I don’t know where he lives. If you tell me where they live, I'll notify his family.
The teacher explained where Robert lived, and the good man left saying good-bye to everyone. Lucy said, after his departure:
- It must be the same snake that I found earlier today on the road!
- Is it true? Did you see a snake today? Please tell us. How was it? - the teacher asked.
Lucia reported what had happened to her in front of the class who listened to her attentively. She also told them how she behaved in the face of danger and how the snake moved away without molesting her.
Silence fell in the room. Everyone was perplexed and thoughtful.
It was very clear how each one’s behavior will determine a different reaction from the animal. Different consequences came from the snake due to Lucy’s respect and Roberto’s aggression.
The teacher added, pleased with the lesson learned:
- If Robert had come to school, as was his duty, he would not now be suffering and not giving concern to his parents. There is nothing more to be said about this.
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
Bob was very sad. His dog got quite sick and, despite him taking care of it, he died in his arms. Bob didn’t know how to prevent it from happening...
It's now been a week since, but Bob was still inconsolable. He couldn’t accept the death of his puppy Valentino.
He remembered the day met found Valentino. He went to a place where dogs can be adopted and fell in love with him. Bob felt immediate sympathy for him. He took the dog in his lap. When the dog licked his face, he had already decided to take him home.
He was nicknamed Valentino, but Bob wanted to call him Rex. Despite Bob having called him that name, he became known fondly as Valentino.
They became inseparable since that day. The only time they were not together was only when Bob went to school and during the night because his mother forbade the puppy from sleeping in his room.
They played together everyday: playing ball, racing betting, strolling on the sidewalk, or simply rolling in the grass.
Valentino turned into a beautiful dog, but now he was dead. Bob really missed his company and was now crying all the time. His mother didn’t know what to do to cheer him up.
One day, she had an idea. She picked up a flower seed and said:
- My son, do you want to help me plant this seed?
Despite not having any desire, Bob agreed, just to please her.
They went to the garden and his mother was explaining how the job should be done:
- First you make a hole in the ground. You will later place the seed in the pit and cover it with soil. This seed thrown to the ground will die. After some time, it will germinate my son.
The boy, who was still small, didn’t understand it right and asked:
- How come?!...
- Well, my son, everything that exists on earth, that has life, must die to be born again; that is, live again. God, the Supreme Wisdom and Creator of all that exists, is the only one that knows how this happens. But this happens with plants, animals and people, so that we all evolve, improving ourselves!
Bob heard that; he looked very serious and bemused. He then asked:
- Will this also happen with Valentino?
- Absolutely! His seed, that is his spirit, will be reborn to another mother in another location.
- Ah ... And will I be able to recognize it?
- Who knows? If born near here, this is possible! He may have the same mannerisms, the same tendencies...
- If I ever meet Valentino, I'll recognise him, Mom, and I'm sure he'll remember me.
Bob went silent, but the mother noticed that when they left the garden, he was different. He was less sad and very excited.
From that day, Bob took care of that seed with great affection. He surrounded it with attention. He spent hours sitting on the floor nearby, asking Jesus to enable the seed to germinate, while carefully watching the place where he deposited it.
Until a few days later, full of joy and excitement he ran to his mother, waving his arms and shouting:
- It broke, Mom! It’s growing! The seed is alive again!
His mom left the house chores and went to the garden. The boy's eyes were bright with emotion, and she realized how important it all was for her son.
She wrapped him in a hug affectionately, saying:
- You took good care of the seed that I entrusted you my son. God answered your prayers. Congratulations!
From that day onwards, he followed the development of the plant. Bob was filled with hope, trust and gratitude to God, the Supreme Giver of Life.
The plant was soon covered with beautiful and fragrant flowers that Bob never stopped admiring. He showed it to other people, full of satisfaction, saying:
- I planted it!
The idea of death didn’t cause him any more grief or fear. He felt calm and confident instead, realizing that death was just a natural step in the life of all beings of creation that would die and be born again and again, to achieve the sublime goal of evolution.
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
Albert was a very happy child. He was only four years and felt like he was the centre of the universe. He was surrounded by the love of those who lived with him.
Alberto's room was decorated especially for him, full of toys.
One day his mother said, with beautiful and sweet smile:
- Albert, you will have a little brother!
The boy felt the world was crashing on his head. He didn’t know what it was, but realized that his life would be invaded by a stranger. He heard his mother refer to the intruder with love; a warning light kindled within him that seemed to say:
- DANGER! DANGER! DANGER! ...
Over the days, his suspicions were confirmed. One day his mother asked:
- Let's go out and buy clothes for the baby?
There they went to browse shops and chose clothes and gifts for the intruder. From then on, it was always like this:
- We need to buy furniture for the baby’s room!
- The baby will need a bath tub!
- How about buying teddy bears to decorate the room of the baby?
One day his mother called Albert and asked softly:
- Son, do you want to change your room?
- Why?
- Because your father and I think it is best to set up the room of the baby there.
- Why?
- You will get a bigger and more beautiful room. Do you mind?
Albert did not bother and changed the room, but only on the outside. Every day he least liked his "little brother". He hadn’t even arrived and made such confusion in his life.
His mommy's tummy began to increase, and she spoke fondly:
- See, Albert, the baby is moving. Put your hand on my belly and feel.
- No. I do not want to.
- So come for lunch, my son.
- No.
- Why won’t you eat?
- I don’t like this food.
Albert suddenly pushed the plate. It fell to the floor in a thousand pieces, scattering food everywhere. He showed himself angry and nervous. The mother asked:
- Why did you do this? For some time now, you are becoming unbearable, my son. You are sly and crying; you were never like that. If this keeps up, I will have to discipline you.
Some months later, his mother went to a hospital. Albert was feeling alone and abandoned at home. He actually stayed with his grandmother while his father accompanied the mother to the hospital.
When his mother returned, she brought a bundle in her arms. Alberto ran to embrace her, crying with joy:
- Mama! I really missed you! I am glad you're back!
She said, rather than embracing him with affection:
- Be careful, my son! Don’t make noise. You will wake up the baby. See, Albert, this is your little brother! Isn’t he beautiful?
The boy watched the small red coming out of the midst of clothes. He then gave his opinion:
- No. He is ugly. Very ugly.
If Albert thought before the baby occupied his mom’s time and attention, now then forget it! He wanted to stay with his mother, but her lap was always busy. She was dealing all day with the baby. She feed him, changed his diapers, bathed the baby…
"That thing" would not give them peace even during the night. Nobody slept in the house. The intruder was crying all the time.
What about visitors? People who had never appeared at his home, now came to visit and bring gifts. Guess who they were coming to see? The baby, of course!
Albert was increasingly unhappy and dissatisfied. He was also full of anger, too.
While the mother talked with her friends, he approached the baby pretending to embrace him. He squeezed his cheeks. He basically really wanted to hurt that intruder.
- See how he likes his little brother! He doesn’t live him alone! - the mother said, convinced.
- Albert is jealous because he lost his mom’s lap!
The boy looked at the woman who had said those words, grimaced and left the room, sulking. He did not know what to do. The "enemy" was gaining more space every day and he was being left out.
The mother realized what was happening with Albert, took him in her arms with great affection and said:
- My son, we love you very much. It’s not because we have another baby that we stopped to love you. Parents love their children equally and with the same love. God gave us life and put us into families so that we could live together helping mutually and learning from each other. Your little brother is a spirit that our Father of heaven sent for us to look after, protecting him and educating him in order to help him become a good person. You don’t need to be jealous of him. At this point, he needs me to spend more time with him; like you, when you were a baby!
Albert was calmer after that conversation. Over time, he was paying more attention to the baby, until one day he smiled! That ugly and awkward thing opened a beautiful smile. It was so unexpected that Albert felt surprised and delighted.
- Mama! See, he smiled at me. The baby is my friend!
- See? He likes you, son. His first smile was for you!
From that day, Albert began to see his brother with new eyes. He didn’t think he was so ugly now. He was even cute!
His mother now had more time for Albert. Whenever necessary, she asked him to help care for the baby, while doing the housework.
He now felt more secure and happy. Albert waited anxiously for his little brother to grow up to be able to play together.
After all, the baby was no longer an outsider. He was his friend!
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
Mark was a boy who, despite having everything, did not value the things he possessed.
He was never happy with the toys he earned. He always complained about the clothes his mother bought for him.
Mark was also never satisfied with home meals; he always thought it was bad and tasteless.
His mom constantly advised him, worried about his well-being:
- Eat a little bit, my son. You need to eat!
- I don’t want to! I don’t like anything! This food is horrible. I want chocolate and biscuits.
- My son - his mother insisted with love and tolerance - you haven’t even tried it! The roast beef is delicious. Moreover, food is necessary for our body. You will end up getting weak...
The boy made a face of disgust and replied, ill-mannered:
- No. I do not. I do not like roast beef. I would eat if it was a chicken pie ...
The mother sighed, disappointed.
On the next day, however, his mom said at lunchtime:
- I did what you wanted today, my son. Come here and see what we have for lunch. A beautiful and tasty chicken pie!
The boy grimaced and complained, grumpy:
- Chicken Pie?!... I'm now craving for pasta!
This happened all the time: at breakfast, at lunch or at dinner time. Nothing was good enough for him.
He would only eat unhealthy food. Every day he was getting weaker and weaker, but his mother advised him, worried:
- Mark, my son, we must learn to thank God for what He gives us. There are many children who would love to have what you have.
Mark had a classmate who was always very quiet. This boy was humble, good and gentle. Mark really liked him.
One day, Mark complained about his mother’s insistence that he had to eat. He asked John if his mom behaved in the same way
- No - John answered simply.
- How come? Doesn’t your mother insist for you to eat?
- No. My mother lets me eat what I want.
Mark was all excited:
- Ah! I would love to live in your home! I'm tired of the life I lead. Could not I spend two days with you? Look, I will be free this weekend. My parents will travel and I will be with my nanny. It won’t be difficult to convince mom to let me stay at your house. I would like to go there very much, please!
Johnny agreed, reluctantly.
Friday was just around the corner. Mark’s parents granted him permission to spend the weekend with his friend. He got some personal belongings in a small backpack and went to Johnny’s home.
They walked a lot... This was Mark’s first disappointment because the house was far away, in a neighbourhood far from the city centre.
When they arrived the boy felt strange by seeing the simplicity of the house. It was a small wooden building, painted cream and surrounded by a garden.
John presented his friend to his mother, explaining that Mark would be their guest for two days. The lady spoke to him with a friendly smile:
- Welcome, my son!
He claimed he was tired and asked to rest a bit. He was wondering where the room was, the one he would stay in.
- Right here! - Johnny pointed out – you will sleep with my brother in the same room. You and my brother will take up the beds, I will sleep on the floor.
Mark said nothing, but did not like sharing a room with other people. He always had his own room.
The meal was quite simple and Mark asked: - Is that all?
- Yes, this is our dinner. - the lady said gently - Since my husband died, our situation became very difficult and I struggle to maintain the house. Would you like some tea?
- I don’t like tea, thanks.
- Sorry. We don’t have much else to offer.
Mark went to bed on an empty stomach. On the next morning, the food was also very simple.
It was now Saturday and the boys would not have to go to school. Johnny's mother woke them early. They had to help her care for the garden.
Reluctantly, Mark worked all morning. He was starving at lunchtime. There were eggs, carrots, cabbage and rice to eat.
Mark was so hungry he accepted the simple food with pleasure. After lunch, he helped with household chores; then the boys went out to play.
By that time, Mark was hungry again. He remembered the tasty food his mother always prepared for him… He remembered all the delicious sweets, biscuits ... and felt a deep longing. All that now seemed so important for him!
Johnny's mother made bread and the smell was very inviting. He ate bread and drank tea, like that was the best meal of the world.
After the weekend, he was quite different when he returned home. Mark told his mother, once she saw her:
- I missed you so much, mom.
- How was the weekend away? - She asked, feeling that something had happened.
- You know, Mom, I learned a lot. I learned to like tea, carrots and cabbage! Johnny’s family lead a very simple life. I now understand why you said we have to thank God for everything we have.
Her mother hugged him, moved.
- I am glad to hear you are thinking like that now, son.
- I understand now that life can be very difficult and I think I had an encounter with reality. I wanted to ask you to go with me to Johnny’s home. There are so many things I have that I don’t need!
The mother looked at him with her eyes full of tears. That eight year boy now seemed a little man; so serious and bemused.
She embraced him with great affection, thanking God for the useful lesson that her son had.
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
It is said that a long ago Paul of Tarsus and his friend Barnabas were travelling disseminating the Christian teachings.
They preached the Gospel to uneducated people, who were in need of God. They travelled very simply; usually on foot, taking the bare minimum for their survival.
Once, they were going through the deserted regions, with cliffs and forests full with bandits. Their final destination was the city of Antioch of Pisidia, which was still far away. It was the first time they were forced to sleep outdoors, in the midst of nature.
They overcame cliffs, crossed a raging river and then found a cave in the rocks, where they settled down to rest their weary and sore bodies.
They had hardly enough to eat, but were excited, overcoming obstacles with optimism and courage.
Loneliness suggested good thoughts to them.
They cheerfully began to comment on the excellence of the gospel, at dusk and after a frugal meal. They praised the greatness of Jesus Christ’s mission.
- If men only knew ... - Barnabas said, making comparisons.
- Everyone would gather around the Lord and rest - Paul topped full of conviction.
- He is the prince that shall reign over all.
- No one has brought greater wealth to this world.
- Ah! – Barnabas commented. – He was the messenger of a treasure that will magnify earth forever.
They continued talking, up until a movement attracted their attention. Two armed men rushed upon them.
- Give me the bag! - one of the wrongdoers shouted.
Barnabas paled slightly, but Paul was calm and impassive.
- Give me what you have or you will die! - the other bandit cried, raising the dagger.
Paul commanded staring at his partner:
- Give them the money that remains. God will supply our needs otherwise.
Barnabas emptied the bag which was attached to the folds of his tunic, while the criminals eagerly gathered the small amount.
The robbers saw the scrolls that the missionaries of the Gospel were consulting early in light of the torch. One of them asked suspiciously and ironically:
- What are these documents? They talk about a wealthy prince ... We hear references to a treasure ... What does that mean?
Paul said with admirable presence of mind:
- Yes, in fact, these scrolls are the roadmap of the immense treasure that was brought to us by Jesus Christ, who will reign over the princes of the earth.
One of the bandits, greatly interested, examined the scroll of the Gospel.
- Whoever finds this treasure - Paul continued, unwavering – will never feel the need for anything else.
The robbers kept the Gospel carefully and disappeared into the night.
When they were alone, Barnabas could not conceal the shock:
- What about now? – he asked in a trembling voice.
- The mission continues well - Paul said, full of courage. - We were not counting with the great opportunity to bring the Good News to the thieves.
Barnabas admired such serenity; he felt somewhat worried:
- But besides the coins they took the last barley loaves, as well as the coats that kept us warm...
- There is always some fruit on the road - Paul stated, decided - and as for the roof over our heads, there should be tree leaves on the way to help keep warm.
- But how can we resume our task if we haven’t even got the notes of the Gospel?
Paul, unbuttoning his shirt, pulled something he kept close to his heart.
- You're wrong, Barnabas. – he said with an optimistic smile. - I have here the Gospel that I got from my master Gamaliel. I always kept it close to me, with great affection.
The missionary held in his hands the treasure of Christ. Joy returned to lighten the heart of Barnabas.
Those valiant men could renounce to all the comforts of the world, but the word of Jesus could not be missed.
(Adapted from the book "Paul and Stephen," Emmanuel, psychographed by Francisco Cândido Xavier)
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
It was a beautiful sunny day. The bright sun shone in a cloudless sky.
Bruno decided to go to the beach to play with friends.
Two hours later they were tired of playing and decided to rest a little.
Suddenly, Bruno looked out to the sea and saw someone who seemed to be in danger.
- Help! Help! Help! - the boy shouted.
- It's Zach! - Someone said - I know that guy.
There were no lifeguards on beach. Bruno felt terrified. He looked at all sides, hoping someone would throw into the water to save the boy.
However, there were adults passing by who were not taking any action. They were frightened and helpless, just staring at the boy who cried for help.
Bruno felt he needed to do something. It was necessary to save that boy, anyway.
He could swim a little, but could not breathe very well. He was aware that to remove someone who was drowning from the water, you needed a lot of strength and dexterity; otherwise you could also run the risk of drowning.
But someone had to do something. He weighted the pros and cons, and decided to risk it, thinking:
- I trust in God. He will help me!
He threw himself into the water, swimming fast against the waves, meeting Zach.
He was already tired when, looking back, he saw several men had also thrown into the water to try to save the boy. They were soon reaching him.
Bruno dropped a more relaxed pace of strokes. It was with immense relief that he saw the men passing by him, approaching the boy in distress. The group soon managed to rescue the boy and bring him back to the beach, unconscious.
The boy was then helped and regained consciousness. He began breathing again and threw out the water he had swallowed.
It was general joy! Everyone was very happy and grateful to God for having saved a life.
Zach, once recovered, thanked his rescuers:
- Thank you. I would have died if it wasn’t for your courage.
One of the men replied, embarrassed:
- Don’t thank us, boy. The really brave one was this boy here. Bruno threw himself into the sea to save you, without thinking about his own safety and the risks he ran.
Zach looked at Bruno with his eyes full of tears:
- Bruno, you're amazing! I don’t know how to thank you. But tell me, do you think you could save me? I'm much bigger than you are! How would you carry me?
Bruno scratched his head, smirked and replied:
- I don’t actually know, Zach. But I had great confidence in Jesus and hoped that others would follow me. That’s what happened, thanks to God!
The others were overwhelmed with Bruno’s courageous gesture. The boy sacrificed himself to set an example to all who were just watching, helpless.
One life was saved with the help of God and Bruno’s courage.
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
Students were talking among themselves when the teacher entered the room. Each of them spoke about what they wanted to get for Christmas.
The teacher reminded the students that this would be the last day of school before school holidays:
- The Feast of Christmas marks the birth of Jesus. Then, it is Jesus’ birthday. We should not be so concerned about getting gifts. Rather, we should remember the words of the Master when he said that whatever we do to the needy will be as if we are doing to him.
- But then what can we do, teacher? - one of the boys asked.
- It is you who must solve this. Think and decide.
Vera, Carlos and Raul were the only ones from the entire classroom who were concerned with the teacher’s words.
On their way home they started to talk about it. They were neighbours and close friends; they were always together.
- What can we give as a Christmas present to others, as if we were giving to Jesus himself? - Carla asked wistfully.
- How about giving candy and sweets? Each of us can ask our parents for money and buy the goodies. We will then distribute it to the people! - Raul suggested.
Vera pondered:
- The truth will be that our parents will be the ones giving gifts, not us, because we have no money! How about giving our clothes?
Carla and Raul were thoughtful for a moment. Carla then replied:
- I think it would not work. If we give our clothes, we have to buy others! Otherwise, we will not give the ones we don’t use or don’t like. It would not be a real gift.
- I know! - Raul said - what if we do home visits?
- Good point. However, the visit itself is not enough. We also need to bring "something else". But, what ?!... We can’t buy anything because we have no money! - Vera recalled.
Carla, bright-eyed, said after all:
"I had an idea! If we wish to give something that can not be purchased with cash, but should represent our effort, our feeling... How about we offer joy and Christmas spirit through music? Look! The three of us love to sing. We could rehearse some Christmas songs and sing for people on Christmas Eve! How about that?
Raul and Vera clapped; they applauded the idea.
So the three pals chose the songs and rehearsed for days…
On Christmas Eve, they got ready and went straight through the streets of the neighbourhood. They stopped in front of houses and began to sing. Everyone began to listen to the voices of the children. Residents opened their doors, attracted by the beautiful melodies.
As they passed by the houses, those residents began following the small group, which became bigger and bigger. The children saw the movement, looked back and realized, with emotion, that everyone in the neighbourhood was accompanying them and sang along with them. The joy, understanding and brotherhood had gripped the hearts of every resident, thanks to those children.
As the night progressed, the villagers decided to do a big party in the street.
They soon brought tables, chairs, towels and Christmas decorations. Each one cooperated, bringing dishes they had prepared at home for their supper. That was a really big party to celebrate the birthday of Jesus.
Vibrations of peace, love and brotherhood involved all of them. Neighbours who were not talking to each other for a long time began to recon ciliate. People who didn’t know each other started talking and became friends, increasing the bonds of affection.
They were all happy and hugged Carla, Raul and Vera, thanking them for their excellent idea. It was the first time they felt closer to Jesus, celebrating Christmas as if the Divine Birthday boy was standing there!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
The family gathered around a table doing the Gospel at home.
Charity was the theme of that evening. Each one made their comment after reading the Gospel text. Sonia, a five year old child, said:
- Dad, I saw on television that Christmas is coming and the shops are full of toys!
- Yes, my daughter. But this is a misrepresentation of the idea of Christmas, which should be devoted to Jesus, whose birth we celebrate on December 25 – Anthony explained.
Orland, an eight year old boy, recalled:
- In addition, there are many people who can not buy gifts. I saw the other day in the newspaper that, due to a heavy rainstorm in the region, many families lost everything and are homeless.
Their mother, who was called Clare, said full of mercy:
- You are right, my son. There are many people who suffer. There are very poor neighbourhoods in our city where people do not have enough to eat, let alone be able to think about buying gifts at Christmas.
The eldest son was called Richard. This 12 year old child, who was very thoughtful, proposed:
- Today's lesson is about Charity, reminding us that we must share what we have, helping the needy. What if we leave for the action, doing something?
The parents’ agreed, pleased to see that the seed of the gospel was germinating:
- Very well remembered, Richard. What do you suggest?
- I will give my old clothes and some toys! – Sonia exclaimed.
- I'll also set aside some clothes and toys. I also have shoes and trainers that do not fit me anymore- Orland said.
- Great! - Richard said. Being the oldest, he seemed to be the leader of that small team. - But that is not enough. We need to ask all the people we know to help: neighbours, relatives, friends, classmates, teachers...
The others agreed, clapping.
Donations began to arrive in a few days: food, clothes, shoes, toys, medicines, books and even some household utensils and furniture.
Parents took the kids to know the poorest neighbourhoods of the suburbs. They came to the conclusion that they needed more aid.
Richard went to the local radio station and broadcasted a request help for the "Campaign Hands United" as they called. Response came pretty quickly.
Donations poured in from all sides. Everyone wanted to collaborate.
On Christmas day, the "United Hands Campaign" ended. They put everything into a truck and took it to the needy families.
A lot of people who had cooperated came together with them. Everyone was very happy to help. It was a great party.
Anthony then made a prayer, thanking God on behalf of all for the blessings of that day. This was accompanied by a crowd of people from all faiths.
They all returned to their homes filled with happiness and well-being, especially Anthony’s family. If it wasn’t for the commitment of the three children, less fortunate people would not have a Christmas that would be really dedicated to Jesus.
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
Tom was always complaining about the life he had.
He saw his colleagues at school wearing expensive clothes and shoes, and he felt sad.
He would love to be one of them; to have a beautiful and big house, walking in the shopping mall, have sophisticated toys, "video games"...
Why was he the only one who had a boring and unappealing life?
He could never wear anything different, as his clothes were always the same ones. Tom felt bad for always wearing the same clothes as his parents couldn’t afford to buy many different clothes for him.
He arrived home for lunch and complained about it. The food was simple at his home; there were never different dishes.
- Pasta, again?
His father was a factory worker. He then said to his son, with patience:
- Isn’t it good? There are many people who have nothing to eat, my son! Let’s thank God, because we never go hungry.
Tom did not answer. He lowered his head and started to eat his food, against his will.
One day, Tom left home feeling quite upset. He quarrelled with his parents because he wanted an expensive pair of jeans he had seen at a shop in the city. His father told him that was impossible at that time since he had no money.
Tom went to the street, feeling nervous and swallowing tears. He walked a lot, with no destination. He then felt tired and stopped to rest a little. A girl soon approached him and asked for a coin.
He looked astonished at the girl, saying:
- I have no money!
- But you look rich. You should have money.
- So you think I'm rich?
- Aren’t you? You are clean; well-dressed, with nice shoes. I bet you even have a big house!
Tom, who always considered himself very poor, asked:
- Yes, but why? Don’t you have a home?
The girl replied, pointing to a place nearby:
- No. I live under that bridge there.
The boy, who never had realized real poverty, was horrified. The girl, whose name was Julia, invited him to meet "his home" and he accompanied her.
Tom saw a nice couple lighting the fire in a makeshift stove with bricks. There were also other families sharing the site.
Julia's parents greeted him with a smile. They received some food and were happy. They would have what to eat on that day and could even help other families who were there.
- Do not worry - Julia's mother said to Tom – we were not always in this situation. We could no longer pay the rent and were evicted. We were selling furniture and appliances that we had to buy food. Thus, we lost our sofa, refrigerator, stove, stereo, couches... We're now living here under that overpass but don’t think we are sad. No, no way! We always thank God we have a place to stay. There are people who have less than this!
Tom felt a lump in my throat. He said good-bye, feeling emotional.
Tom arrived home; feeling the safety and comfort of his home. He entered the kitchen and a sudden smell of good food came from the stove.
His father came from the factory and sat at the table to eat. Tom asked them to make a prayer:
- Thank you Lord for all we have. For our home, our family, for our food. We are grateful for having everything we have. So be it.
His father noting his son was different and emotive; he then said:
– My son, I will get extra cash tomorrow. I will then be able to buy the pair of jeans you wanted so much.
Tom replied, to his surprise:
- No, Daddy, don’t do it. It doesn’t matter to me anymore.
His parents felt amazed with his attitude. The boy decided to tell them Julia’s story, her new friend.
Tom's parents also wanted to know Julia’s family, who had done much goodness to their son. They all became friends.
Tom's behaviour was completely different now at school. The example of optimism and resignation of that family had touched his heart. He seemed more cheerful and happy. He never felt unhappy anymore, recognizing that life is a very precious gift and that God gives each one of us what we need to live.
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
Cyrus was very fond of playing in the backyard of his home. He spent hours in the shade of a big tree, playing with his toys.
It was a cool and pleasant place where the sunlight filtered down gently. He very often fell asleep under the tree, tired of playing.
This was a pretty fruitful mango tree, as Cyrus was picking fruit with his own hands when he felt hungry.
Despite all this, Cyrus was a boy full of wills. One day he began to pick on the tree, hoping to cut it. He said to his mother:
- Mom, I want to you to cut the mango tree.
The mother replied, feeling quite surprised:
- Why, my child? You always liked it so much!
The boy replied, stamping his foot on the floor:
- I do not like it anymore. It takes too much space, makes plenty of shade and is messing up the yard.
Surprised, the lady considered:
- Think carefully, my son. Trees should be preserved because they are very helpful and take years to grow and produce. Our tree gives us delicious fruit. Birds build their nests in these branches…
- No, my mother! - The boy interrupted her. - I want to you to cut it.
When his father arrived after work, he was informed of the child’s request. He tried to make him give up the idea but it was all in vain.
Advice and considerations, arguments and reprimands were not enough. Cyrus was adamant.
He screamed, cried and complained so much that his parents decided to do his will, even if they didn’t agree with it. He was an only child after all! His parents always gave him what he wanted!
On the next day, the father had the beautiful tree cut.
The only remnants of the beautiful mango tree were its stump. Cyrus was now happy and was pleased. He went out to play.
However, the strong sun hurt his eyes and the heat was excessive. He was tired and sweaty within minutes. He then went inside.
The mother watched from afar and said:
- You don’t want to play anymore, Cyrus?
The boy replied, disappointed:
- I'm tired. The sun is very hot today.
- Do you want something to eat? – The loving mother said.
- Yes, Mama. I would love a mango.
- Oh, my son, we don’t have any mangos. Have you forgotten we cut down the mango tree? I gave the last mango I had left to the gardener!
Cyrus sat on the doorstep of the kitchen, watching the yard that seemed strangely empty now.
He observed many birds that seemed to fly at random, with no place to stay.
Cyrus remembered that he had seen several nests in the branches that were torned down. He realized that those birds had lost their houses. He also noticed that they were hungry, looking for crumbs on the floor to eat.
Cyrus increasingly regretted the decision he had taken, as time went by.
He wouldn’t play in the backyard anymore. Everything had become stale. He didn’t have a tree to climb anymore, the sun was merciless and burnt everything.
One day he approached the stump sighing. It was now dark and withered. He then embraced what was left of the tree and gave vent to his sorrow. He started to say in tears.
- I'm so sorry, my friend. I miss you so much! I did not know you were so important to us and now nothing is fun anymore. I can no longer play in the shadow. The sun burns me. The birds were left wondering what to do, like me, and have gone in search of other tree branches. Oh! If I could turn back on time! I now understand why they say we should take care of the ecology, preserving the trees. Everything is barren and ugly without you...
Cyrus cried... wept, embracing the remains of his old friend.
His tears of repentance, however, dampened the withered trunk. Few days later, Cyrus approached it and had a big surprise.
Green and fragile buds appeared from the middle of the stem. There was now hope of a new life there.
Cyrus joyfully realized that the miracle of life repeats itself, and the tree would grow again, with the blessing of God!
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
Gloria left home to go to school as she did every day. That day seemed to be a day like every other one, but it wasn’t.
Gloria knew something was happening along the way. People on the streets were excited, talking loudly and seemed frightened.
She felt intrigued and began to wonder what was new. She passed by the newsstand and saw two women talking. She then paused to listen. One said to another:
- Have you seen such a thing? The whole city is now in danger!
- But how did he escape? - the other asked.
- I don’t know! Certainly some sloppy left the cage door open and then... wham! Gone!
Who would have escaped? Gloria decided to ask the owner of the shop, who was a very nice old man.
- Mr. Adams, "who" ran away?
The old man's eyes widened. He raised his eye browns and adjusted the glasses on his nose. He said:
- You do not know, Gloria? It was a lion! It escaped from the circus that arrived in town yesterday.
- Ah! A lion?!... Is it big? - the girl asked.
- They say it's huge! Apparently it’s also very fierce. Be careful when walking around town.
Gloria thanked him for the advice and kept walking. She was now aware of what was happening and was able to better understand the conversations she heard.
She found two men in the street and one of them said:
- I asked my wife to lock the whole house and not let our kids out on the street. The boys are not going to school while the beast has not been caught.
The other man agreed wholeheartedly:
- Quite right. I once heard an animal escaped from a circus and injured two people. We can not have that happening. Look, I have even prepared my rifle. If the animal appears, I will nail fire!
Gloria was now increasingly frightened. She finally arrived at school, but there were the same comments: it revolved around a terrible lion that escaped from the circus.
Mothers were concerned and asked the teachers to take great care of their children. Others thought it would be best to close the school, dismissing students from classes on that day, or until the problem was resolved.
The children were terrified. Screams and cries were heard throughout the school. The atmosphere was a real mess! Gloria’s teacher was a quiet and peaceful person. She gathered the students together in class and considered:
- The best we have to do is to stay calm. Confusion just complicates things and fear has a terrible power over people. It prevents us from analyzing and judging rightly. Do not worry. Rest assured that nothing will happen to us. We are safe in this building; and in any event, we must trust in God who never forsakes us. Moreover, we do not know if it's all true!
Seeing that the students were calm, the teacher asked them to open the book, stating:
- Let’s go to the lesson of the day.
Gloria noted that the situation was even worse when left school after class. Confusion was now widespread. Police cars roamed the streets directing people to remain in their homes. The fire department was aware of the issue and armed citizen groups searched for the terrible animal everywhere.
Gloria arrived home and found her mother all terrified, shaking with fear.
- Thank God you came, my daughter. I was busy with the housework. I only turned on the radio now and heard the news. Are you okay? Hasn’t the lion threatened you?
Gloria, remembering what the teacher had said, told her:
- Mama! Of course I'm fine! My teacher said it's important to stay calm and trust in God. There is nothing to fear.
They suddenly heard a strange meow at the kitchen door, As if it were a confirmation of those words. They thought it was the cat next door. Gloria rushed to open the door that her mother had locked.
She found, surprisingly, something cute and furry hidden in a corner of the stairs. It was meowing noises full of fear. Once she got closer, she recognized that the harmless little animal, shaky and hungry, was a lion cub. She caught it on her lap, called her mother and exclaimed:
- Look, Mom! Here is the terrible and ferocious lion that made the whole city tremble! It seems he's more scared than us!
She laughed and said, feeling satisfied and relieved:
- You see what fear can do to people!
Their house was soon filled with people who came to see the lion cub. The police, the media, fire-fighters, neighbours, and even the curious popular mayor wanted to see the animal firsthand.
When they saw the little animal, they felt ashamed of all the fuss that was made about the fact. The circus owner suddenly arrived, feeling embarrassed. The mayor then demanded an explanation:
- Why didn’t you clarify the animal that escaped from the circus was a harmless little lion cub? The man scratched his beard and justified:
- Well, I thought it was an excellent advertisement for my circus. The whole town learned that we are here, right?
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
There was a father who had three children. He wished to teach them to be good workers as well as to be diligent men, so they could take advantage of the opportunities that would be awarded during life. One day he told them:
- My children, I'll have to travel but before I go I want to give you a few coins for you to use them as best as possible. I'll be back in a week and I want to see what each of you could do with the money I gave you.
He called a child and gave him five gold coins. He called another one and gave him two coins and to the third child he gave one coin.
The boys were very happy with their treasure.
The son who won five gold coins, after much deliberation, decided to buy material and make kites for sale. He worked hard. They all sold quickly when they were ready. He managed to recover what was spent and get five more coins. He now had ten coins instead of just five.
The boy who won two coins thought for a long time because he didn’t have a lot of money. What should he do? He then decided, after all. He went to the supermarket, bought packets of juice and prepared it. He then got a booth and sold juice to friends. He recovered what was spent and earned two more coins. He now had four coins instead of just two.
The third child, who received a single coin, placed it in his piggy bank for fear of losing it. He didn’t do anything with the money. The father returned a week later and asked for an accounting of the coins he gave to the children.
The one who won five coins handed ten to her father, explaining, all excited, what he had done.
- Well done, my son! I liked seeing your effort. Congratulations!
The second son, who had won two coins, handed four coins to the father. He was very excited and explained what he had done to get them:
- Congratulations, son! You learned to make your money yield in a useful way.
The third child, who received a single currency, approached him feeling a little embarrassed to see the story of his brothers. He justified himself by returning the money to his father:
- Here's your money, my father. I was afraid of losing it and put it in that piggy bank to return it to you when you arrived back from your trip.
His father, disappointed, spoke sternly:
- You were lazy, my son, and did not deserve the money I entrusted you. As you gave it back without doing anything, I'll give it to one of his brothers who know to use it in a proper way.
The boy was now blushing with shame, as he lost the chance that the father had given him.
This also happens to us in life. God is our Father. He gives us "talents" which are opportunities to do something good in life. We need to make them fructify benefiting our evolution, helping our neighbors and ourselves.
(Adaptation of the Parable of the Talents, Gospel of St. Matthew, XXV: 14-30.)
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
Laurence was only eight years, but was very lively and intelligent.
One day at school, he heard the teacher talk about the existence of the "soul" explaining that it is immortal. Therefore it already existed before this life and continues to exist after the death of the physical body. Finally, the teacher, who was a spiritist, added:
— Sleep is a state very close to death, because the spirit leaves the body and goes wherever it wants. The difference is that, we wake up every morning from sleep. When the death of the material body occurs, the spirit does not come back to inhabit that body of flesh.
Laurence listened carefully and felt concerned with the words of the teacher.
In fact, he did not understand how this could happen. Moreover, he neither knew whether he believed in "spirit."
— Do we really have a soul or spirit? — he asked.
— We do not have a soul or spirit, Laurence. "We are" the spirit - the teacher said.
Laurence was surprised. He had never heard anyone talk about that!
He then returned home quite thoughtful and full of doubts. He could not think of anything else for the rest of the day. He said a little prayer to Jesus at night; the one that his mother taught him, and laid down. Before long, he was sleeping.
Laurence woke up some time later. He felt thirsty and got up to drink water.
He felt lighter, cheerful. When he got out of bed, he felt quite shocked. He saw another Laurence asleep. How could he be in two places at the same time?!...
He then remembered what the teacher had taught.
— How cool! This is my spiritual body! I'm out of the body of flesh!
He found that situation quite funny, left the room and walked through the house. His parents were still awake. Laurence saw his mother knitting and his father reading a book in his favorite rocking chair.
He went to the kitchen to drink water, but could not hold the glass, because his hand went through it without being able to catch it.
He saw his kitten Spot at corner of the kitchen. He decided to play with him.
— Spot! Spot! Spot! Spot! — he called.
The kitten woke up. Laurence approached him and passed his hands on the cat. The little animal meowed and went into hiding in the middle of a bunch of clothes, as if afraid.
Laurence decided to leave Spot in peace and return to his room.
He saw Grandpa Charles beside his mother, when passing through the front room. His grandfather said smiling:
— Look after your mother, Laurence. Tell her I'm fine.
The boy, now feeling sleepy, returned to his bedroom and laid down.
On the next day, Laurence woke up early to go to school. He changed his clothes and went to the kitchen where his mother had just prepared breakfast.
They sat down. The lady said, as she put coffee in the cup:
— How strange! I do not know where your kitty is. Spot is usually near us whenever we sit at the table for meals. I have been awake for hours and Spot has not yet appeared.
Laurence remembered the dream he had at that moment and said:
— I know where he is.
He got up, went to the place where the bunch of clothes was located and found Spot.
— How did you know he was there? —his father asked, curious.
Laurence told the dream he had at night, leaving parents surprised. He then continued:
— And there is more. Grandpa Charles was in the room next to you, Mom. He asked me to take care of you and to tell you he's fine.
The lady’s father had died a few months ago. She said thrilled:
— But your grandfather Charles is dead, my son!
— Well, I saw him alive and well, Mom. I didn’t even remember that he was already dead.
Laurence’s parents hugged each other, realizing that something really great happened that night.
They did not believe in anything, but now felt a new hope in their hearts, thanks to the dream of their son Laurence.
The boy, with his eyes wide open, said:
— My teacher is right! There is no death! ...
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
Carter was a boy for whom life was difficult since the beginning.
His father passed away a while ago, victim of an accident at work. Since then, everything changed in Carter’s life.
Without the presence and support of his father, the situation became very difficult. His mother was forced to leave home to work in a rich house.
As they were unable to pay the rent of their home, they were forced to move to a poorer area.
They moved there, but the different environment looked quite hostile. The mother decided to talk with God, in her thoughts:
“Oh, Lord, what will happen to my child? He will have to grow up in this environment, living around creatures with a low moral level. He could even become a criminal! Help me! I feel so alone since my beloved husband died! But I trust the Lord and know He will not leave us in the lurch. "
On that night, the mother fell asleep crying. She hide her feelings from her son so the child would not see her tears of sorrow and pain.
On the next day, as soon as the first rays of sunshine broke into the small hut, the mother got up to prepare breakfast. There was no milk or coffee. They only had tea and bread to eat.
Carter woke up in a good mood. He realised his mom’s face was puffy from crying. She was suffering a lot.
The boy explained to her, feeling happy and smiling:
- Mom, I had a beautiful dream last night.
She asked him, full of interest:
— Tell me, son. What was your beautiful dream?
— I dreamed I was a very beautiful place, full of bright flowers. I then saw my father coming. He embraced me with affection and told me that I should trust God.
"You know, my son - he said - nothing happens by chance. In another life you and your mother hurt one of your brothers pretty badly, due to ambition. You stole everything he had and left this person on the streets.
Your brother wandered homeless for a long time living at someone else's mercy, until he fell ill and died. That is why you are now experiencing many difficulties. Trust God and endure the tests with resignation, because it will release you. The Lord is good and will certainly assist you."
Carter’s mother was surprised and very moved. She now let tears ran down her face. The boy felt quite moved; he then continued:
— You know what’s funny, mom? I saw the scenes which he described as if it were a movie. And guess what? I felt my father was the one we harmed! Do you think this is true?
The mother looked at her son with love and said:
— My son, this is God's answer to my prayers. He answered my questions through the dream of a child. Yes, Carter. I believe that all this is true. We must have hurt a lot someone so that we are now going through this test.
She started to wipe her tears. She stared her child with determination and courage, and said resolutely:
— We shall win, my son. Let’s keep being positive, having courage and faith in God, who is our father. I'm sure He will not leave us helpless.
Carter smiled happily when he realized that his mother was more content and resigned.
At that moment, someone knocked at the front door. Carter reaches the door and comes across a woman who had a broad smile on her face. The visitor said:
— Hello! I'm Cecily, your neighbor next door. Since you just moved in yesterday, I brought you warm home baked bread and a bottle of coffee.
Before Carter’s mom had time to thank her neighbors’ kindness, a ten year old girl came near and handed a small beautiful flower to her:
— Here, this is for you. I was the one who planted this flower.
Shortly thereafter, a mean appeared at the door who asked, smiling:
— Do you like chayote? I brought you some that I gathered in my backyard.
Carter’s mother hugged the strangers who invaded her home as a ray of sun. She realized that all places and all people are children of God. We can find good people everywhere we live.
She thanked for the blessings received at that moment and exclaimed, smiling:
— Thank you so much! It was Jesus who sent you!
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
There was a small lighthouse, in a region far away, on a high cliff.
The sea was very dangerous at that area because there were many rocks that could lead to craft disasters, if no one spotted danger in time.
For this reason, a lighthouse was built to allow ships to pass safely through the site.
The lighthouse thought its life was very monotonous. It envied vessels that passed in the distance. It also felt jealous of seagulls that kept flying through the air and could get to know foreign lands. It even felt jealous of the stars that shined in the sky every night.
But he lived there, still. It never moved; day after day, night after night….
Its only distraction was the lighthouse keeper; that is, the man who looked after him. Every day, at dusk, his light was lit. then the small lighthouse stood there, spinning around….
The lighthouse keeper lived alone and was the only person who existed in the vicinity. One day he fell ill in bed, burning with fever. He was unable to get up and perform his customary obligations.
That night, nobody turned on the light of the lighthouse…
The lighthouse was surprised by that, because this had never happened before. It felt even stranger to see darkness around it. Everything was dark...
Heavy clouds covered the sky on that night, heralding the storm. Soon later, a strong wind began to blow and rain fell in torrents.
The lighthouse was not able to see anything; it just listened to the rain that fell and the sound of the waves...
The lighthouse fell asleep. On the next day, once the first rays of the sun could be seen, it looked at had happened overnight.
A canoe was swept away by the waves, hitting against the rocks. A fishing boat that was always used to the light of the lighthouse pointing the way, hit the rocks, capsizing.
Even a large ship which was en route to distant lands, got stuck between the rocks, unable to leave.
The small lighthouse could see the extent of the tragedy that happened by the lack of its light. It was only then it realized how important its job was.
People were rescued in time and the lighthouse keeper was taken to a hospital to receive the necessary medical care.
There was now someone replacing the man in his daily tasks. This person was now responsible for turning on the lighthouse while the keeper was not healed and ready to go back to work.
From that day, the lighthouse never regretted its destiny. It fulfilled its task with good will and love.
It could be seen spinning happily every night...
Whoever saw it, by far, might notice that the light became brighter and more alive.
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
Dora or Dorothy, as she was known, was a bright and intelligent girl, but had a problem: laziness.
She hated any kind of task, no matter how simple it was. It was very hard for her to get up early and go to school! She always claimed she was tired. She never did homework, or studied for exams. Therefore, her grades were poor.
She didn’t help at home with anything. She claimed she had a headache if her mother kindly asked her to set the table at meal time. If she asked her to sweep the house because she was busy, the girl replied that she needed to study and shut herself in her room. Dorothy would complain angrily when Mom needed her to look after the baby for a little while:
— Why do I need to do everything?
Dorothy took no pleasure in being useful. She was only happy when she was playing, walking, watching television or sleeping.
Her mother worried about her, trying to advise her, but without positive results. Her mother asked God in prayers to help her because she feared for the future of her daughter.
There was a small house next to hers which was closed for a long time. One day, Dora noted that it was open. A family had moved during the night and the girl was curious to get to know the new neighbours.
Back from school, Dorothy saw a boy sitting on a bench in the garden in front of the house.
She approached him smiling, as she wanted to get to know him, pleased to have someone else to play.
— Hello! —she said, greeting him. — What’s your name?
— Olaf. What’s yours?
— Dora. But everyone calls me Dorothy.
The boy was very friendly and attentive. Dorothy liked him. They were soon chatting like old friends.
Dorothy soon began to complain about life. She complained about school, her mother, household chores; in short, everything. She then said:
— Have you ever thought, Olaf? I am already forced to get up early to attend a boring school with boring classes. I am feeling exhausted when I come home. Yet, I have to help my mother with household chores! I'm so tired of this life!
Olaf was watching her with his eyes wide open. He sighed and said:
— I envy you so much, Dorothy!
— Why? My life is horrible and boring! I hate this life! —the girl replied, feeling quite revolted.
Olaf said, kindly:
— Well, I think your life is wonderful!
— Really? —The girl asked, incredulous.
— It's true, my friend. I can never leave my home or go to school...
— You do not study?
— No, Dorothy. I'm sick and very weak. I can not walk like you. I had a great and strong friend, who took me to school in his arms before, but then he moved. There was anyone else to replace him. My mother can not carry me. It would be nice if I had a wheelchair to get around, but we are poor and still could not buy one.
Dorothy stammered, with her mouth open:
— So, you can not play outside? You can’t play hide and seek, jump rope, running or jumping?
— No, but I'm not complaining...
— What do you do all day? Your life must be pretty sad.
— Not really. I help my mother whenever I can: I choose the rice and beans, I clean vegetables, peel potatoes and wipe the dishes.
Besides, my mother creates small art crafts to sell and increase our income. I help in this task whenever possible. I also have friends who keep me company and bring me magazines and books. I spend hours reading. Anyway, I think that my existence is very good! I know people who have less than me and whose life is much more difficult than mine.
Dorothy looked at him with admiration and respect. She felt ashamed of her complaints.
Olaf smiled and added:
— I miss going to school. I would love to continue studying and learning new things. God willing, I'm sure I will be able to someday. Dorothy, you should thank Jesus for all you have: a perfect body that enables you to walk and play, intelligence to study and learn, and the love of a family.
Dorothy bade farewell to her friend with new ideas in her mind. She went straight to the kitchen when she entered her house and said, thoughtful:
— Mom, let me clean the table. I can wash all the dishes after lunch and sweep the floor. I can also take care of the baby too...
Her mother was not accustomed to that good will. She asked, feeling quite surprised with her daughter’s attitude:
— What happened to my daughter? Are you sick? Have you got fever?
Dorothy laughed and explained:
— I'm fine, Mom, do not worry. I just had a very interesting meeting.
She then told her mother a conversation she had with her new friend Olaf. She concluded:
— Mommy, I will try to do my job with optimism and joy as from today!
Dorothy's parents organised a campaign for Olaf and were able to buy the wheelchair he wished. Furthermore, they took the boy to a doctor to try to discover resources for healing.
Soon later, we could see Dorothy happily walking every morning next to Olaf on their way to school, where they studied together.
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
Gavin was a very mischievous boy. He was not a bad child, but was always playing tricks on people. He also caused trouble at school and scared his little brothers at home.
Nobody had peace next to him.
Everyone knew that he would be doing something bad every time he entered into a new place.
His mother Danna worried about her child’s behavior, as it didn’t change.
One day, Gavin's mother blurted talked to a Spiritist friend. She said she was no longer bearing the complaints that came from all sides: neighbors, school, relatives and friends.
— Why don’t you try to send him to Moral Education classes at the Spiritist Center I go to? — her friend suggested.
— Do you think it’s going to help? — the mother replied, in doubt.
The friend pondered, with a serene smile:
— There is no harm in trying! You have nothing to lose, right? I'll see what I can do.
Danna thought for a while and thought that maybe her friend Nora was right. Her son was growing up without any religious concepts.
— Okay. Where is this Spiritist Center? — Danna asked.
Danna wrote down the address. They then said good-bye to each other.
On Sunday, Danna took the boy promptly to the Spiritist Centre at the agreed time. Some children already knew Gavin from school. As soon as they saw him, they yawned but said nothing. Teacher Nora would talk about "guardian Angel" on that day.
— Did you know that we all have a Spirit of Light; someone interested in our welfare and progress, to whom God gave the mission to guide and direct us in life? —She asked.
One child said softly:
— Then Gavian’s guardian Angel should be a "little devil"!
The other children erupted in laughter. Gavin complained:
— Look, teacher! This girl is saying that I live together with a "little devil"!
Teacher Nora put order into the room and reprehended students for their disrespect to the new classmate. She then explained:
— Firstly, there is no "little devil". What exist are imperfect spirits, who are ignorant and like to play. They cause us minor annoyances and confusions. These spirits are called "mocking" or "playful Spirits."
Whenever they are near us, making us company, is a sign that we are not doing well because it is our thinking that attracts them. Our guardian Angel, who really loves us and desires our good, feels very sad when that happens.
Gavin paid much attention to what the teacher said. She talked about interesting things that were unknown to him. He asked, interested:
— You mean that "ghosts" do actually exist?
The others laughed, amused with his question. The professor replied with sincerity:
— Not exactly. There are spirits of people who have lived here on earth and who have left the material body; they have disincarnated, as we say. Nobody dies in fact. We are all immortal spirits, created for progress. God is our Father; He will always give us opportunities to learn and evolve. Those who have left this life go to the spiritual world, a different reality that coexists with us, without us noticing. As on Earth, some are good, others indifferent, bad, scholars, playful, and so on.
Gavin meditated a little; then asked:
— So, my grandfather is still alive ?!...
— Yes, certainly. He still likes you anyway, Gavin. He is certainly still interested in your development.
Gavin lowered his head, feeling ashamed and said no more.
He loved his grandfather very much. He had suffered a lot with his grandpa’s death. It took him a long time to accept the fact. He now knows he is still alive. He is so happy with this good news, but this also made him uneasy. If his grandfather was close to him, he should not be enjoying his behavior.
Gavin returned home after the lecture. His mom noticed a change in her son straight away. His brother teased him at lunchtime, but Gavin did not react. He didn’t disturb anyone on that day.
Her mother accompanied him to his room at bedtime. She noted with surprise that he made a prayer, something that was not part of his daily habits. He said:
— Thank you Jesus for this day. Help me so I can be a good boy. Help Dad, Mom and my little brothers, so we can all live in peace and joy. So be it.
Danna waited until he finished the prayer and asked him:
— I noticed you were very thoughtful all day today, my son. Did something happen?
Gavin told his mother what he had learned at the spiritist education class. He then concluded, with his eyes wide open:
— What if Grandpa is sad with me, mom? I do not want to upset him! I want him to feel proud of me!
Danna felt surprised with everything her son told him. She agreed with him, mentally thanking God for sending help through her friend Nora, with her eyes moist with emotion.
From that day, Danna also began attending the Spiritist Center. She recognized the importance of the spiritist knowledge in the people’s lives.
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
Raffie was a small, beautiful and kind hearted giraffe. Her body was covered with a short and silky fur. It had beautiful honey-colored stains that glowed in the sun.
Despite being young, Raffie’s neck was already very long!
This caused her problems with other animals of the forest. She had difficulty making friends.
Other smaller animals discriminated her for being very large. Nobody wanted to play with her.
When she invited the rabbit for a walk, he would give an excuse:
— I can not now, Raffie. I need to clean my house.
If she went to the squirrel’s home and called him to play, he replied:
— I can not now, Raffie. I have to look for food. Maybe later?
This happened every time she sought a different animal in the forest. One day she was walking through the woods and found them together, playing hide and seek. She then stopped looking for them, considering they did not like her.
She felt sad and alone, but what should she do?
Her mother, seeing her gloomy, consoled her:
— My daughter, if your friends do not like you because of your size, they do not deserve your friendship.
One day, walking through the forest, Raffie heard a strange shouting. She walked up to discover where the noise came from.
Do you know what it was? There were her friends, who were weeping in despair. There was the rabbit, the squirrel, the fox, the frog and crane, the bird.
Raffie asked:
— Why are you crying? What happened?
They were very happy to see her there.
— Oh, Raffie! We are so glad you came! You are the only one who can help us! —The squirrel cried with relief.
And the rabbit added:
— We are lost! We went for a walk and no longer know our way back home. I think we're running in circles! Can you tell us the direction we should take?
Raffie smiled, pleased with the opportunity to help.
— Sure!
Then the little giraffe stretched its long neck, looking around over the trees and said:
— You should go north. Over here! —and showed with one of her forelegs the direction they should follow. I also need to get back home. I will go with you.
The whole group made their way back, happy and relieved. Some of the animals were feeling tired. Raffie decided to carry them back.
They loved to ride on the back of the little giraffe. Everyone wanted to have their turn.
When they arrived near the houses, they said goodbye to Raffie.
— Raffie, you're pretty cool! Thank you - the rabbit said.
— You're a great despite your size - the fox recognized.
They had learned to know her and liked her now.
Raffie thanked them, feeling satisfied. Her good deed had an effect.
On the next day, the little giraffe woke up with the call of her new friends.
— Raffie, do you want to play with us?
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
Squanto was a small Indian whose company everyone enjoyed. He liked to run, to play with animals and to fish. He would only hunt when he was hungry because he avoided causing other creatures to suffer.
He normally ate roots, herbs or berries that he gathered from the woods.
He loved the sun, the moon, the wind, the rain and especially other creatures. When he found a wounded creature, he would not rest until he saw the animal was healed.
Once, returning from a walk in the woods, Squanto saw a bird caught in a trap, with a broken wing. He pulled the bird from the trap and immobilize the bird’s wing with plant fiber. The bird was healed within days. It the left, singing the joy of being able to fly again.
On that same day, Squanto decided to walk in search of edible roots. He found his friend Mr. Bunny, who was trapped with a bruised paw.
The Indian boy put a paste made with herbs on the wound, as his grandfather had taught him. The rabbit began jumping around not long before that. He turned around as if to say, before getting back into the forest:
— Thanks, Squanto. You're a great pal!
On the next morning, he went fishing. Squanto suddenly heard a painful moaning. It was a leopard lying in a pit trap. The animal got injured in the fall.
Squanto put a bandage on the wound and soon the leopard ran happily through the forest, very grateful for the help.
Squanto, however, was worried.
Who would put those traps in the forest? He felt afraid.
His grandfather had always said he should be very careful with the white man who was evil and would kill without mercy, for the pleasure of killing.
So, Squanto was very afraid of white men.
Actually, he had never seen a white man. He imagined them to be huge, terrible and frightening.
Thus, when he found different footprints on the ground, he concluded that the white man was there. He was now terrified.
He told what was happening to the people in his village. All the other Indians were scared too. They decided to go out and look for this evil creature that was making all residents of the forest feel panicked.
They searched for a long time...
They were tired of walking when they heard a voice shouting:
— Help! Help! Get me out of here! ...
They followed the sound of the voice and came to the brink of a big hole. There was a man moaning in pain at the bottom of this place.
The Indians felt frightened, but also shouted satisfied, holding bows and arrows:
— We caught him! Let's finish him!
Squanto always had a kind sensitive heart. He then thought, seeing that creature moaning in pain:
"But he does not look terrible and frightening as I thought. He is just like us; only his clothes are different."
He then turned to his friends and said:
— We can’t kill him. Don't you realize that he is a creature like us, who suffers and cries? Come on, help me get him out of the hole. He is hurt and needs help.
The Indians withdrew the hunter carefully, with the help of a vine. They placed him on the grass under the shade of a tree.
The hunter was thrilled; he couldn’t stop thanking them:
- If it wasn’t for you, I would probably die in that hole. I do not know how to thank you. I realize now the evil that I did by putting all those traps in the forest. I ended up falling into one of them and thank God you have saved me. How can I repay the good you did to me?
Squanto replied, as the spokesman of the whole tribe:
— It's easy. Do not put any more traps in the forest. Leave the animals alone.
The hunter felt ashamed; he agreed with them:
— I'll never do it again, I promise. I now know I got what I deserved. Each one of us is responsible for everything we do. I deserved this lesson. Forgive me. I want to be friends.
The Indians extended their hands in friendship, as they realized the man’s sincerity. They then took him to the Indian village.
They prepared a great party to celebrate the event, on that day.
We are all brothers, after all!
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
The little horse was always unhappy, despite living in a beautiful barn full of comfort.
He had a big green field to ride and play with his friends. He also had plenty food and water to drink.
When the night came, he would go to his barn to rest in his bed, while he could see the stars shining in the sky, far away, through the window.
There was a friend called John who looked after him, bathing the little horse regularly and brushing his fur gently.
Still, the little horse was not happy and spent all his time complaining about life.
He complained of having to get up early or even because the grass was not very green and soft.
When the farm worker came to bathe him, the little horse complained that the water was very cold and that the brush was so hard it hurt him.
One day, when John came smiling to look after him, he found the little horse in a really bad mood. The employee unintentionally dropped the bucket of water over the horse's hoof by mistake.
The animal immediately reacted angrily, kicking the poor server. The little horse also said to the man:
— Clumsy!
The man could not get up, screaming for help.
When people came to help him, they saw him on the ground. They then asked:
— What happened, John?
He really liked the horse and did not wish him to be punished. The man then replied:
— Nothing. I fell and hurt my leg.
John was then taken to a hospital. It was found that he had broken a bone in one leg and would need to plaster it. He would have to rest and avoid working for a month.
On the next day, another employee was placed in charge with animal care, replacing John.
The new employee did not care about anything. He was quite lazy.
He forgot to release the animals to walk on the field, didn’t change the drinking water or replace the old grass with new grass. He didn’t even like to bathe the animals, leaving them dirty and smelly.
Since the little horse complained about the way they were being treated because it was full of flies, he was whipped on the back by the man.
The little horse felt scared since this never happened to him before. He never complained about anything anymore.
It now remembered, with deep nostalgia, the old server that was always treating them with kindness and never let them miss anything. When it was alone at night, watching the stars, the little horse cried with sadness in his dirty and smelly bed.
The little horse felt full of joy when John returned after thirty days. The horse leaned his head on his chest, pleased by the return of his friend.
The employee felt surprised with the caring attitude of the animal. The little horse used to be so grumpy, but now was keeping his head down. It was all dirty; his fur was bleeding, bitten by insects.
He embraced the horse filled with compassion. He then washed the little horse, took care of wounds and brushed his hair. When he finished, he looked at the animal and said:
— Right. You're now looking better!
The little horse, that had a lot of time to think during those thirty days, told him, showing humility:
— I appreciate your care and attention. It had to get hurt to learn to value your friendship. I now understand how rude I was with you, and you were so good to me. Forgive me for the kick I gave you. This will never happen again.
He paused and, looking at his friend with eyes moist with emotion, he concluded:
— I learned that we need to thank for everything we have. God gave me a good life where nothing was missing, however I lived dissatisfied with everything. I had to wait for things to get worse so I could see how happy I was. I also understand you need to know to respect others if you want to be respected.
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
Laura was a good and loving girl. She heard a lecture at the school saying that work is for adults and children only had to study and play.
When her mother asked her to do something, she claimed that she needed to study, or that her friends were waiting to play, watch TV, or simply that she was tired.
One day, her mom asked as she saw Laura doing nothing; sitting in the kitchen’s doorway:
- My child, can you please dry the dishes for me?
The answer came quickly:
- I can not, Mom. I'm resting.
Her mom thought for a moment and said:
- Laura, we all must make our contribution in life working for the general welfare.
- Children have to study and play. Work is for adults, Mom - the girl said, showing what they had learned at school.
- It’s not like that, my daughter. Paid work; employment, is for adults. However, we must return a little bit, within our capacity, of the huge amount we receive from life.
The woman stopped washing dishes and turned to the girl. She suggested:
- Laura, since you are doing nothing, why don’t you go to the backyard and observe nature? Then come back and tell me what you saw.
Although she didn’t want to, the girl got up and walked out to the backyard. She didn’t realize anything at first. She glanced through the colorful and beautiful flowers that opened decorating the yard. She walked a little further and saw an orange tree covered with fragrant flowers. She then saw a bee rushing from flower to flower, removing food from it and then flying to a tree stump where it made honeycomb.
She observed orange trees where some had small green fruit, while others had already mature oranges.
She passed through a mango tree, grabbed a fruit and sat down to enjoy it. She loved mangoes!
She looked up and saw a bird that was picking up sticks on the ground. It led them to a branch at the top of the mango tree, placing them carefully at its nest.
She looked at the floor and saw a line of ants carrying leaves, bark, fruit and bread crumbs to the nest.
Laura admired their sense of organization, walking in an orderly queue. They all carried something. They all worked!
She returned home after she finished eating the fruit. She washed her hands on the tap in the yard and entered into the kitchen, looking for a towel to dry off her hands.
Her mother saw her and asked:
– So? What did you observe?
– Well, I saw a bee collecting nectar from flowers and take it to produce honey. I also observed that there are orange trees with small fruit while others have mature oranges. I saw our mango tree full of delicious mangoes and caught one to eat it. It was delicious!
The girl stopped talking, thinking.
– What else did you notice, my daughter?
– I also saw ants carrying food to the anthouse. It was as if they had gone to the supermarket to shop! I think that was it.
– And what did you think of this?
– I noticed that you're right, Mom. Everyone works, even the small creatures: a bee produces honey, the tree produces flowers that will turn into fruit, ants bring food for the family, the bird builds her house...
– Well done, my daughter! And you might have seen even more: insects and small animals that eat ripe fruits that fall into the soil, the land that receives the seed and let it germinate, among many other things.
The girl agreed, excited by the findings:
– You're right, Mom. There is also the sun that illuminates and warms, the water we drink...
– Yes, my daughter. And all for what?
– To make life better and happier for us. Everything in nature works for everyone’s benefit. How come I never noticed that before?
Laura said embracing her mother:
– Mom, I also want to help, collaborating for everyone to be happy. Dad works to bring money so we can buy food and everything else we need. You do all the housework, cleaning, washing, tidying up and cooking. I also want to help doing what is possible. I will work from now on helping you and all of our family. I have always received a lot; now I also want to learn to give.
The girl then remembered she could: water the garden, sweep the yard, walk her dog, dry the dishes, leave her toys and clothes tidy. I'll have plenty to do!
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
One teacher was having trouble in class with her students.
One of the students was called Louis. He had profoundly negative thoughts about religion and began to pass these same ideas to other children.
This boy stated there was no God and that everything was created by man.
The other children felt surprised and upset. They didn’t know how to refute their colleague’s words and began to feel insecure.
This came to the teacher’s attention one day. She felt concerned with the problem and thought about how she could change that situation. She wanted to solve the issue. She thought for a long time... and after all, had an idea.
One day she warned students that on the next morning, they would do an experiment. They should bring all pieces that belonged to a clock, a radio, a cassette player, or any other object that was broken. They should also bring a box that would fit in this object.
The students were full of curiosity. They wanted to know more about the experiment, but the teacher wouldn’t help, saying with a smile:
- You will know tomorrow.
On the next day all students came earlier to class, under intense expectation. They were all holding the material requested.
The class went smoothly. The teacher asked them to put the material for the experiment on the table at the end.
Then she ordered everyone to place the broken objects inside each box with all parts. She then asked the students to cover it well.
They did so, but couldn’t understand the purpose of that activity.
- Very good! Now I want you to shake the box strongly, trying to get all the pieces to fit into place and the machinery back up and running.
- But, teacher! ... - one of the children stammered.
- Don’t argue. Do as I say, please.
The children shake the boxes for one minute, five minutes, ten minutes, fifteen minutes...
They had enough. They were exhausted!
After that time, the teacher asked them to open the boxes and verify the result of their efforts.
- How are the devices?
The children looked at the contents of their boxes and one of them replied:
- They are still broken, teacher.
She then asked the class:
- Really? Was no one able to fix it? – she said, stressing the words well. - Nobody was able to fix their machines?!...
Everyone responded negatively by shaking their heads.
One of them said, convinced:
- No, teacher! Even if we stay here all day, all month or all year long, we won’t be able to fix them!
- Ah! - the teacher exclaimed. - And why is that?
- Because this requires "someone" to put the pieces in place, adjust the screws etc.. Anyway, you need the hand of a person who knows these machines to do the job.
The other students agreed with their colleague.
The teacher asked, satisfied:
- Very good. Does everyone agree that for something to work you need the work of someone behind it?
She paused, then moved her eyes slowly across the room. She then continued:
- Great! And what about the universe? Isn’t it huge? Who can tell me who is the one that causes the sun to rise every morning? Or what makes the plants grow? Or what enables the seasons to occur at special times?
The children realised, after all, where the teacher wanted to get to. The children smiled satisfied. The boy who stated that there was no God, bowed his head in shame.
The teacher then decided to reinforce the lesson. She then asked everyone:
- So who does all these wonderful things?
They all answered:
- GOD!
- Does anyone have any doubt about it?
Louis looked up and replied:
- No, teacher!
The teacher felt satisfied and decided to conclude the subject:
- Very good. God created everything that exists, including ourselves. So He is OUR FATHER. The Universe is governed by wise laws that are fair, perfect and immutable. We are all subject to them. We must remember that God loves us all, because it is profoundly good and merciful.
Louis, after all, said to the delight of all students:
- I'll pass the lesson for my parents, teacher. I think they never thought about what you said!
AUNTIE CÉLIA
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
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A piece of cake, a pie, some rolls and a humble piece of bread were chatting in a kitchen’s cupboard.
The cake said, very proudly:
— Everyone adores me, because I am soft and fluffy.
One of the rolls replied:
— It could be but, for the family’s snack, kids always demand my presence!
The pie twisted her nose, and responded ironically:
— In normal days maybe, but I am a ‘must’ in every party. My presence is happily awaited as I am very delicious and enchant the most demanding palates.
Faced with his pal’s words, the piece of bread felt shy and humiliated.
The cake, very arrogantly, faced him and asked:
— What about you? Don’t you say anything?
The poor piece of bread faced down, and felt very sad. He felt inferior to his colleagues, as if he had no real value. After all, he was just a piece of bread.
The pie sarcastically replied:
— Leave him. Can’t you see he is not worth anything? He is only used when there is nothing else better around. With so many juicy specialities like us, his destination is to stay here, growing mouldy in this cupboard, until he goes to the bin.
Feeling very sad, the bread did not say anything. He knew he wasn’t worth anything anyway.
Suddenly, a noise was heard in the kitchen. Someone approached. They all stay quiet.
The cupboard door opens and the house owner appears with her son Paul.
— What would you like to eat, my son? — The mother asks, kindly. — Maybe some rolls?
— No, mum. They are a bit too soft. I like it when they are dry.
— Well, maybe a piece of cake? Or pie?
— No, no. They are too sweet — the boy says.
Then the boy looked at the piece of bread, and caught it with a lot of care whilst he spoke:
— When I am really hungry, mum, I don’t avoid eating my piece of bread!
The bread left the cupboard happily, under the eyes of his palls…
In life, we all have our own value and a task to fulfil, even if we don’t feel it or believe it.
Therefore, we should not consider ourselves better than others, letting pride install in our hearts.
We should also not consider ourselves worse than others. Each one of us is different and unique, but we are all brothers before God.
We all have our unique value.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Walking down the street, Celso was dismayed. He kicked a can and thought:
— Vacation isn’t like I had planned to.
During the school year, having to do homework and face tests, he longed for vacation from school promising to himself he wouldn’t do anything. He wanted to rest!
Even his mother was warned:
— Mommy, on vacation I won’t do anything. No work, no activities. Don’t wake me up! I want to sleep a lot!
His mom agreed. Now, Celso slept until noon, waking up only for lunch. Later, he spent the rest of the day doing nothing. At the beginning it was great, then, not knowing why, he started feeling unhappy and grumpy, complaining about everything.
His friends tried to take him to play soccer or go to the pool, but the boy rejected saying:
— I won’t go. I want to rest!
One day a friend of his, going past his house saw him at the gate, and invited:
— There is this group which is going to take some soup to a poor neighborhood and I’m going to join them. Do you want to go along?
— You kidding? With this scorching sun? No thanks!
A week had passes... two weeks...
In the third, Celso couldn’t stand boredom anymore.
Watching his mom washing the clothes, the boys said:
— Mommy, I don’t know what’s happening to me. I’m dismayed. I don’t eat. I can’t sleep well at night. And the worst, I’m always tired!
His mom dried her hands in the apron, looked at her son and smiled, understanding:
— It’s because you aren’t doing anything useful, my son. The less you do, more tired you get.
She sat by his side and went on:
— For us to live, God gave us energy. We need to know how to use it well. That’s why we feel like working, doing things.
— But when school had finished I was so tired I couldn’t see books in front of me anymore!
— That’s okay, because you studied hard all year long, my son, and needed to rest. Now, you rested enough and you need to exercise your body and mind again. There are other types of activities to keep us active, cheerful and happy. Reading a good book, practicing a sport, a visit, helping others, those things are useful and nice.
Celso thought a little and concluded that his mom was right.
In that afternoon, he went with his friends to the club for a soccer match. He came back home like another person.
On the following day he met the girl who would take soup to the poor and decided to join her. He saw so much poverty and suffering, that he was touched. He helped distribute soup and bread, talked to the kids, visited families and came back home, feeling much better.
Smiling, he came in and told his mom what he had done. He looked much better and had a different look in his eyes.
He took a seat and ate without complaining. With the activities of the day, he was tired but happy. That night he could sleep well again. On the other day, he woke up full of energy, and said:
— Mommy, I want to enjoy my vacations!
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Walking down the street, calmly, Roberta, age 8, headed to the nearest park. She sat down in her favorite swing and stood still, thinking about life.
She had a good year. Even though she didn’t study much, she was approved at school.
The Christmas party had been very good, with loads of food, fruit, sweets, chocolates and candies. Besides, she had received a lot of gifts, even a new bike, what she wanted.
However, even though everything was fine, something bothered her. She remembered Christmas, which represented Jesus’ birthday, and got to the conclusion she only thought about herself. The year was about to end and she was sad.
As New Year would come in some days, Roberta thought that she could improve her life.
But, what to change?
As for school, she should study more, not only be approved, but really learn.
As she thought of school, immediately Tereza’s image popped up in her mind. She was a classmate of hers and they got into a fight, and haven’t talked since then. And she missed her.
As she remembered the end-of-the-year party, Roberta relived the moment when some students presented a dance performance. She had been touched because ballet was her dream! She always wanted to dance! Maybe that was her time?
At this moment, Roberta saw a poor girl who arrived at the playground, shy, without knowing what to do. While her mother, still on the sidewalk, was talking to a lady, the girl was undecided.
Intimely, Roberta took a decision:
— That’s it! The New Year will be different! And I’ll start it right away.
So, Roberta left the swing and approached the girl, saying:
— Wanna swing? Come, I’ll help you!
She took the girl and started swinging her, as the little girl laughed. They were soon friends. Roberta learned that her name was Carolina, she was 4 and lived far from there. When the girl’s mom arrived, they talked and Roberta said:
— I’ve got some toys and I want to give them to Carolina. I’ve also got clothes and shoes that don’t fit me anymore, and candies that I got from Christmas. Come to my house. It’s near here.
The mom got happy:
— You have no idea what it means to us. Without money, I couldn’t buy Carolina anything. We don’t have even food.
Sad, Roberta took them to her home, he introduced them to her mother, and as lunch was ready, she invited them to eat.
As they said good bye, the woman was happy. She thanked for everything she had received. Carolina hugged Roberta and said:
— Thanks, Roberta. Now you’re my best friend!
As she was hugged, Roberta realized she’d never felt that way.
Later, she went to Tereza’s. She rang the doorbell and, for her surprise, Tereza herself opened the door.
— Roberta! You, here?
— I came to apologize, Tereza. I’m sorry for what happened that day.
— Roberta, I should apologize. I said what I shouldn’t and we ended up arguing. Do you forgive me?
Both laughed.
— Well, I guess we’re friends again, aren’t we?
They hugged each other, glad to have solved the issue.
As she left Tereza’s, Roberta came back home and told her mom what had happened, she was friends with Tereza again:
— Mommy, thanks God we’re friends again.
— I’m happy, my daughter, that you and Tereza made up. That’s it.
— You’re right, mom. I’m relieved. Ah! I’ve also decided that my New Year will be different, that’s why I wanted to ask: can I take ballet lessons next year?
— If you really want to, of course you can!
— Thanks, mommy! I’ll call the teacher and get enrolled in the course.
Over the next days, Roberta wrote down everything she wanted to do next year, and decided to do some things that year: she visited her grandparents and a classmate that was sick, she bathed the dog; she organized her bedroom and realized she could give away many things.
On December 31, she was happy with herself and the world.
When it was midnight and the party started, the sky was beautiful with the fireworks display. The city was great, with honks horning, people shouting and partying.
Underneath the sky, her mom looked at her and said:
— Happy New Year, my daughter!
— Happy New Year, mommy!
Roberta was now sure: NEW YEAR, NEW LIFE!
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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As December was coming, the teacher talked to her students:
— Our classes are finishing and soon you’ll go on vacation. Christmas is approaching and we are going to talk about this as we are all Christians. We should try to remember Jesus and be with him every day! However, Christmas is a special moment because all Christianity celebrates on this Day Jesus’ coming to the world. So, I’d like to know: how do you celebrate Christmas?
The enthusiasm started. The subject was conducive to talking! Every kid talked about their expectancies for the party: Relatives that came from far away, the preparations for supper and, especially, the gifts.
The teacher listened to the answer carefully, letting them talk. Then, she considered with a smile:
— Great! I see you like it and know what you want already! But I Wonder if someone remembered it’s Jesus’ birthday, so that the party should be for him instead?
Silence. The students looked surprised and embarrassed. No one had thought about it!
A student spoke, then:
— Well, if he’s on birthday, we should ask him what he wanted to get, right?
Everyone agreed. But, how to do that? How to ask Jesus?
Another boy said:
— Well, teacher, the only way to do that is by following Jesus’ teachings. My mom has always told me that he liked to be among those who suffer and need help.
— Excellent, John. Anybody else?
Daisy, a diligent student, said:
— Teacher, the other day I opened the Bible at random and read a passage that Jesus said that, when throwing a party, we should only invite those who can’t pay us back.
— Very good, Daisy. You really understood the Master’s lesson.
Ishmael, the youngest in class, stood up and said:
— Teacher, my dad says that Jesus loves everybody: people, animals, plants. Is it true?
— Of course, Ishmael. Jesus’ love is all over Nature.
— So, I guess he wouldn’t like to get to our homes and see animals dead on our table. I don’t like it!
Upon that statement, which recalled respect to life, the other students were quiet. The teacher looked at the class, where the students remained silent, and said:
— You guys have already mentioned things that need to be treated seriously. I’d like you gather in groups and decide what the best way to celebrate Jesus’ Christmas is. You have until the end of the class, OK? Then, we’ll see what you’ve got.
The kids started working, everyone giving their suggestion. At last, after much talk, they decided. The decision was unanimous and everybody was excited.
As she came back, the teacher asked:
— And then? Any conclusions yet?
The leader of the class stood up and said:
— Yes, teacher. After all that has been talked, we decided that the best way to celebrate Christmas is by visiting hospitals. Jesus was always around the poor and sufferers, is there any better place to go? It must have been so sad to spend Christmas time far from your family, right? We may come up with a play, put some games together and take some food. What do you think?
The teacher was touched by the student’s suggestion, when everybody started clapping. With tears on her eyes, she said:
— Congratulations! I’m sure our Christmas will be different!
From that day on, with the cooperation of the students’ families, they gathered resources for the project, receiving candies and gifts. Every student contributed with their best. Thus, there were actors for the play; clowns, magicians, and of course, Christmas carols.
The great day had arrived.
It was Christmas Eve. They go to the first hospital in a convoy. It was unforgettable! Doctors, nurses, everybody approved the idea. Let alone the patients! They had a lot of fun with the presentations. They received gifts, colorful balloons and candies. Naturally, the students had been informed before what patients could eat, mainly those with diabetes.
At the Hospital of Cancer, the emotion was stronger, upon the pale kids, many of them hairless, some of them hurt, but they were enjoying the moment.
The environment full of light was poured in blessings of peace, love and joy for all.
Certainly, both the sick kids and the students would never forget that Christmas, when they had the opportunity to feel Jesus’ presence, so strong among them!
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Long, long time ago, in a humble and small stable, some animals talked, and exchanging ideas about their lives.
And the ox, very calm, said with its patient voice:
— All we do is to work from sun to sun. I pull the plough revolving the earth to be planted, and lead the wagon peaceful and happily performing my job with no complaints. The lord can count on me, always firm on my job, but I never received any praise.
The horse, which ruminated on the corner, nodded its head:
— I have also done my best, taking the lord everywhere, walking great distances under the scorching sun, cold rain or inclement weather. But, as a reward I have received the whip on my back.
The donkey said, in a sad tone:
— I have carried heavy burdens and never complained, or have I rejected any of the work; however I have never received any extra food for my efforts.
The cow, which fed its newly-born baby, also commented:
— I have also felt the man’s ingratitude. Not happy to take the milk that I use to feed my kids, he also separates our family, killing us to eat our meat, and use our fur.
The sheep, which heard it all silently, and whose look observed through the door, the blue and clean sky, covered with stars, sighed and said:
— Everybody is right. I’m not free from these mistreatments either, though I always collaborate with my wool so that man can manufacture clothes to be protected from the cold. But do you know what I heard the other day? That a Messiah is expected anxiously. They say he’s coming from the Sky to love all men on Earth, and take them back to our Father.
And the animals, aware and curious, feeling a new hope, asked in unison:
— What else do they say about this Messiah sent by God? Tell us... Tell us...
— They also say that he’ll give to everyone according to their works. So, let’s trust God who never lets us down.
More comforted and confident, he animals dreamed about the Messiah that night, which everyone imagined according to their tastes and necessities, and that would be the Redeemer of the world.
On the following they saw, coming from the road, a man riding a donkey, carrying a beautiful young woman.
As they couldn’t get shelter for the night, they settled for that humble stable.
They looked worn out because of the trip and the lady expected a baby.
Amazed, the animals saw the man organizing the straw, to make up a bed for the woman.
Some hours later a beautiful baby was born, under the careful sight of the animals.
In the sky a great star arose, prognosticating an unlikely event, and, surrounding the hack, transformed into an improvised crib for the newly-born, the animals felt compensated for all the suffering of their lives, aware of the great importance of such event.
And, in the peace of that environment, they recognized in that child the Messiah, the Christ from God, who was born on Earth to teach Love, but who preferred as the witness of his birth, not men, but the humble, industrious and sweet animals of creation.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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They were in December. The last days of classes brought joy for the students because it represented the arrival of vacations, the holidays, trips and fun. However, it also brought a bit of sadness, since the everyday life with each other, would cease to exist.
At the end of the school year, as she said good bye to her students, the teacher talked about Christmas, explaining the importance of Jesus’ coming to the world, and concluded saying:
— Never forget what the Christmas spirit represents, mainly, share what we have with others, even though it’s not much. This is what Jesus expects from us: that we may act as real brothers.
The teacher set Nick thinking.
What could he share with others? He wasn’t rich. Quite the contrary, he was poor. He needed his clothes and shoes. Toys, he didn’t have. He remembered his old books. Yes, he could give them away.
He smiled at the idea. He had found something to share.
Deeply, though, he wasn’t happy. Giving away his books, he wouldn’t share anything; he would just give something he didn’t need anymore! Something wasn’t right...
Some days later, near Christmas, he went to visit his grandfather and earned a coin. A beautiful coin!
— What will I do with it? Yes! I’ll buy that hot dog I always dreamed of, but could never afford.
Nick went out rushing to the hot dog stand that was so famous in the neighborhood, according to all accounts.
He ordered and, anxiously, his mouth watering could hardly wait it to be made. He added the sauces and all the other ingredients, and sat somewhere to enjoy it properly.
Satisfied, he took a deep breath and opened his mouth wide to give it the first bite. At this moment, he saw by his side, sitting on the curb, a dirty and poor boy, whose eyes were eating his snack already.
Nick, at first, tried not to pay attention to that. But those begging eyes were bothering him.
At that moment, he remembered his teacher’s words in the last class, and finally figured what she had meant then.
He stood up, and, in a little while came back, with his hot dog cut in half. He gave one half to the boy, who thanked him with a big smile, and took the other one.
And together, side by side, savored the delicious hot dog.
Never had Nick experienced such sensation of happiness and welfare. The boy’s gratitude had a special meaning for him.
He had finally understood what Christmas was all about. He managed to resign, sharing something he really wanted. He shared bread with someone he had never seen before, and he was sure that Jesus approved of the idea. He didn’t even know the boy’s name! But how important was that?
He turned back to the boy, who looked at him with this eyes shining. They smiled. He had earned a new friend.
— Merry Christmas! — he said.
— Merry Christmas! — the boy replied.
And they hugged each other.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Despite being very intelligent and having all the conditions to learn, Matthew didn’t like studying.
It was a sacrifice for him to leave his games and go on to school.
He liked to walk through the woods picking up fruits, play with his toys or play soccer with his friends and neighbors.
He never had time to do his homework. At school, he didn’t pay attention to what the teacher said nor did he copy what was written on the blackboard.
At the end of the year, as expected, the result of such behavior: everybody, but Matthew, was approved.
He got very sad, cried, but it didn’t work. He had to do that grade again and try to make the most of it this time.
However, Matthew kept on leading the same life, not caring about studies.
On his birthday he received a whipping top as a gift and got interested about it. He rolled the cord carefully around the top and later let it go sharply, and he got happy as he saw the toy spinning round and round.
One day, observing the toy as it spun, he told his father, who read the newspaper:
– The whipping top is funny, isn’t it, daddy? How come it keeps spinning and never leaves the place?
His dad, who was worried about his son’s behavior, said:
– That’s true, son. And did you know that it happens not only to whipping tops?
– How come, daddy? – Matthew asked as he didn’t understand what his father said.
– Yes, my son. So it happens to people that keep spinning round and round and never move too. Never learn anything because they don’t care for the world around them. They are egoist. Just think about them. And, in this case, they are people who don’t think not even in their own good, or else they would understand that just by learning that they’ll move on in life.
Matthew looked at his father and then at the whipping top, which kept spinning.
He got quiet, thinking...
He understood the lesson.
On the following day, for his mom’s surprise, no one needed to call him to go to school. When she woke up, Matthew was ready.
He had his breakfast and left for school.
From that day on, Matthew started studying. He did his homework and then he got a book to read. And, like this, he had a lot of time to play and have fun.
He never forgot the whipping top lesson, and when someone didn’t want to study, he warned:
– Do you want to be like a whipping top, which keeps spinning without moving on?
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Roger was a bunny from a good family worried about his education.
He lived in a beautiful ranch, near the city, among other animals.
As Roger didn’t like to work, the mother Rabbit oriented him saying:
— My son, in this life we have to be useful somehow.
Everybody needs to accomplish a task. God hasn’t conceded us life to be a burden to nature.
But the bunny kept rejecting work.
One day he left home upset because his mom asked him to help in some chores like sweeping the small den where they lived.
Jumping through some trails, Roger was whining. Tired, he sat on the shade of a tree, near a creek.
Lazy, he sighed and said:
— Ah! I feel like being a creek, which has nothing to do!
For his surprise, a voice told him:
— Sheer mistake. I work a lot. I carefully carry the water which will benefit plantations and will be used by human creatures in several tasks, and birds and animals come to me to quench their thirst. Besides, I serve as a dwelling for fish.
Scared, Roger thought a little and, watching as a cow grazed, next to him, he considered:
— Well, I’d like to be that cow than that spends its entire time doing nothing. Only eating and sleeping.
The cow, which heard the bunny’s words, came up to him and mooed:
— Moo... Moo.... How come I do nothing? I provide milk every morning. And not mentioning some sisters that give away their own lives for the sake of humans.
Disappointed, the bunny looked around to see if he found anybody who didn’t do anything.
The tree, which was quiet so far, joined the conversation:
— don’t look at me! I also work. I give flowers and fruits that can be eaten. I shelter birds, little animals and bugs in my strong branches. Besides, everybody likes to rest on my shade. Like you, for example!
The lamb, which came up to talk, said that he provided wool to make clothes; the hen, which was near too, said that she gave away her eggs as food and, even a spider which was working on a web, had a task:
— If it were not me, eating bugs and flies around, your life would be impossible! — she said, proudly.
The bunny was very ashamed. He was the only one who didn’t do anything.
Thoughtful, Roger came back home.
He found his mom busy looking for some food for his family. Without saying anything, he picked up a broom and started working.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Once upon a time a squirrel got into a hole of a strong and big tree.
It was the perfect shelter for the little squirrel to live. Happy, he moved there.
The tree started protecting him against the wind, rain, cold and wild animals, which always represented a risk.
Happy, the squirrel thought about putting his house in order. As it was too small, he thought of enlarging it.
With his strong and sharp teeth, he started gnawing the wall to enlarge his house. He dreamed about having a family and needed space for his wife and the kids to come.
Then, he enlarged the hole creating another bedroom, a room where he could eat and a deposit to keep nuts he found. The winter tended to be rigorous and it was needed to store the food to not go hungry.
The squirrel organized his house tastefully, decorating and cleaning to wait for his family’s arrival.
As he wasn’t satisfied with what he’s got, always desiring more, he kept enlarging it.
The others dwellers of the tree, birds, insects and other bugs, complained:
— Squirrel, you’re destroying our home! Our friend tree is getting weaker.
He replied:
— You are wrong. This tree is strong and its roots are deep.
One day, at the beginning of the winter, he had gone out searching for food and took some hours. When he came back, he had a great surprise. He tried to find his house:
— Where is my home, the leafy and friendly tree?...
Scared, he couldn’t believe what he saw: The tree, which was so strong, so firm, was on the floor!
How did it fall down?
Trying to figure what could had happened, the squirrel got closer to see what was going on, and then he noticed, he had gnawed its roots, making the tree weaker, with the huge hole he had done inside the trunk.
The squirrel realized then, too late, the he was the sole responsible for the fall of that tree. In his wild ambition, he had destroyed the home the Lord had given him, and not only him, but all the others beings who also lived there.
It would be enough if he had been pleased with what he had got, so that he could live there in peace and safe. However, his desire to always have more, made him destroy his own home and the birds’, little animals’ and bugs’ that lived there.
Now, upset and sorry, the squirrel was regretful. It was the beginning of the winter and he needed to look for another shelter, if he didn’t want to suffer from the cold.
However, he trusted God. He knew that, as he had found that hole, he’d find another one. He couldn’t give up and should learn from his own mistakes.
So, humbly, he came up to his companions, who were all sad, and told them:
— I apologize. I made a big mistake and now everybody is homeless. But, we can’t give up. I promise to give you guys another tree. Trust God!
The birds, little animals and bugs got happier, feeling a new sense of hope in their hearts.
And the squirrel, from that day on, never made the same mistake, accepting and adapting to the conditions of life God gave him.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Alvin was a boy who never finished what he started doing. He always left the things incomplete.
It was terrible! In the morning, he went to brush his teeth and left the toothpaste open. He left the shower and it was dripping. When he was getting dressed, he opened the door of the wardrobe and left it open. He opened the fridge to grab something and left the door open. He sat to do the homework and left the books on the table.
So, his clothes were always lain somewhere, the toys
out of order, his skates in the middle of the room, the toothpaste open and so on.
His mom tried to teach him to be organized, putting things in order, but it never worked! Alvin never changed. He had the same answer:
— Oooops, I forgot it!
One day, Alvin’s mom decided to teach him a lesson.
Early in the morning, when the boy went to dress his uniform to go to school it was crumpled. He complained:
— Mom! Look at my uniform! All crumpled!
His mom answered:
— I forgot to iron it! You’re going to have to dress it anyway, son.
And so Alvin went to school with that uniform.
Later, when he came back, he sat to have lunch. He was hungry!
As he opened the pan to serve, he saw it was full of water and the grains, hard.
— Mom! What happened? The rice tastes awful!
And his mom answered, pretending to be surprised:
— Oooops! I forgot to light the fire! Wait a bit, son, I’ll finish it up in a minute.
And this was the whole day. His bed was made in half, the bathroom was all wet, the cake was still unbaked, and the clothes were dirty.
The answer was always the same. His mom had forgotten it.
At the end of the day, Alvin couldn’t stand it anymore:
— What happened today, Mom? The house is upside down, you’re very forgetful. I can’t take it anymore!
As she heard his complaint, she said:
— What are you talking about, Alvin? I did exactly what you do every day! You forget what you’re doing and leave it incomplete.
As he saw his mom was right, Alvin learned the lesson and promised to himself to be more careful with his attitudes from that day on.
He learned that his family had patience with him during all the time, while he couldn’t stand that for a day!
From that day on, Alvin became a careful and organized boy, with his own things and the others’, of use of his family.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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This Sunday, which coincides with All Saints’ Day, date on when we honor the dead, it’s needed to stop and reflect.
Jesus said clearly that death doesn’t exist. The death of the physical body only represents the passage from a world to another one. The Spirit leaves the material world and starts living in the Spirit-world, where is his real life.
The Master did not only talk about the importance of the future life, he exemplified his teachings returning after death on the cross to show his disciples the truth he had taught.
That’s why, my friend, there’s no point in looking for our dear dead in the cemetery, once they won’t be there. Beneath the ground there is only the body, which doesn’t matter anymore. It’s like an old piece of clothing that doesn’t suit anymore, because it’s worn out.
And besides, who likes sad places?
If we can choose, we’ll naturally go to better places, more pleasant and happier. The same happens to the Spirit which left Earth.
The reality in the Spirit-world is very beautiful. Life there is much better than here, since we are still incarnated. Everything we see here on Earth, and which seems beautiful, is just a pale and imperfect copy of what exists in the Spirit-world.
This way, if we have someone we hold dear and has already left for the other side, let’s remember him/her with joy, calling on the good moments you spent together or funny things you shared, emitting caring thoughts, but not revolt or despair. Let’s make prayers involving him/her in affective vibrations so that they feel loved and protected.
If we feel the necessity to offer them anything, it’s not going back to the cemetery, where he would certainly not come back.
Put a vase of flowers in our house, and remember his/her presence. We can give something to somebody, on their behalf, and it will surely be pleasant.
Or then, my friend, you can send him a bunch of flowers.
How? Well, think of the flowers they liked best, or, then, the ones you think to be beautiful. Imagine a beautiful bunch of flowers; wrap it with paper, showing your love. Later, write a beautiful card mentally, with words you’d like to say. Then, send it saying:
— These flowers are for you!
Be sure that your beloved one will receive your gift. Thus, he’ll feel really honored and will thank you for that.
Try it out!
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Carlos and Luisa felt miserable. Their only son, Otávio, six-year old boy, died suddenly victim of a rare disease.
Upset, Carlos and Luisa looked for an explanation for their pain. Why did it happen? Otávio was a good boy, obedient, caring, really an angel. Why did God take him away from his parents who loved him so much?
This way, angry, they looked for counsel everywhere, but couldn’t find an answer for their suffering.
One day, they got to a Spiritist Center, even though they didn’t believe it.
They heard the evangelical comment and then they received a pass. Some way, they felt relieved.
After the meeting, the director went to talk to them. So, they told him about the boy’s death. Luisa, really angry, finished her story saying:
- From that Day on, six months ago, we haven’t had any pleasure in living.
Calm, the responsible for the meeting looked at them, and asked:
- Don’t you believe in the immortality of the soul?
Surprised, the couple looked at each other, and Luisa said:
- We never thought about it!
With a smile, the Spiritist pondered:
- You’d better start thinking about it. The Spirit is immortal and survives when the physical body dies. Your dear Otávio is still alive!
With her heart beating faster and her eyes shining, Luisa asked:
- Are you sure about it?
- Absolutely. And he certainly needs your help. Your tears are not good for him. He’s probably suffering because of that.
- And what can we do to help him? – his mom asked, worried.
- Pray for him. Try to remember the happy moments, and who knows, one day you can all meet up again.
The kind man gave them some explanation about the Spiritist Doctrine and, before leaving, gave them some books whose reading could provide them with clearer notions.
Carlos and Luisa left the Spiritist Center with new hopes.
From that Day on, Luisa started praying for her disincarnated son, always asking Jesus that, if possible, she could see him again.
One Day she fell asleep while crying. It had been one year since her boy returned to the Spirit-world.
Luisa saw herself in a beautiful garden, with flowers, and many kids were playing.
She sat in a park bench to observe them when she saw someone coming up to her: it was Otávio.
She hugged him, happy. It was really him; nothing had changed.
After many kisses and hugs, Otávio told her:
- Mommy, I’m all right. Don’t cry anymore because it makes me sad. Your prayers have helped me so much.
- Oh! My son, I’m so happy! It’s a pity I’m dreaming!
- No, mom, this is for real.
He collected a rose in the garden, and offered his mom, saying:
- This is for you, mom. Send daddy a hug.
- Don’t go away! – she begged.
- I have to. Don’t worry, mom. I’ll be back again. Help other needy kids. See you!
When she got up, Luisa started crying. She had been with Otávio.
Shame it was only a dream.
She got amazed, though, when, looking at her nightstand, she saw a beautiful rose. The same his son had given her, and it looked like it was brand new.
She took the flower, carefully, and felt it, while her thoughts were in prayer thanking the Creator for what had happened.
She got the message. She couldn’t doubt of the immortality of the soul anymore and her heart was filled with peace and comfort.
Some time later, on the duties she engaged in helping needy families from the slums, she received a kid whose mom died during the labor, and the father was unknown.
Full of compassion, Luisa grabbed the newly-born and, resting him on her chest, a wave of love involved her. On that moment, she decided to take him home as her new son.
Without knowing it, Luísa received, with this generous gesture, her dear Otávio who, thanks to the Divine Mercy, came back to her loving arms as her son of heart.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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José Antonio was his name. But everybody called him Joe.
Joe, who would soon turn 8, was a good boy, but had a very bad habit: he was always complaining.
His mom, patiently, tried to make her son understand he had to change his behavior, unsuccessfully.
As they were Spiritist, his parents were concerned about his attitudes, realizing that, if he kept that way, they would have problems in the future.
One day, his mom told him:
— Joey, I know you like to play, and it’s normal, since you’re a kid. However, we all need to help, giving our contribution to our family’s welfare. Jesus gets sad if we are not glad, because we have a lot to thank for God, our Father. We have everything. That’s why, we need to be optimist and happy to be alive, my son.
— Did you understand, darling?
— Yes, mom.
The boy promised that he would try to change from that day on.
On the following day, after Joe came back from school, his mom gave him a task: to buy soap at the supermarket, because they had run out. The boy left whining.
Later, his mom asked him to lay the table for lunch. Joe did it, mumbling.
As she couldn’t leave, his mom asked him to take his brother to school. Later, she asked him to put away the dishes and sweep the yard. Joe obeyed, always complaining.
In the evening, at the Home Gospel time, his mom asked him whether he had done all the tasks he was told.
— Yes, mom. I did everything. Jesus must be proud of me.
The lady shook her head, saying:
— No, not yet. There’s something missing.
Joe thought... thought... thought... but he couldn’t come up with an answer.
— Well, mom, I think you are wrong. I did everything you asked me to.
And, counting, he described all his activities:
— I went to school, to the supermarket; I set the table for lunch, I took my brother to school, I swept the yard and put away the dishes. Wow! I had a busy day! — said the boy, complaining.
— But there’s still one thing missing, my son.
— What’s it, mom?
— If you did everything you were assigned to, you need to do them with joy.
Only then did Joe remember what he had promised the day before.
He bent down his head, admitting his mom was right.
Caringly, she went with her fingers through his hair, and said:
— Never mind, honey. Tomorrow will be another day. God will give us new opportunities for us to improve, practicing what we learned.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Walking sad on the street, Albert met a friend of his father, the old John.
The boy was sad and upset. The old man, walking by his side, asked why he was so sad.
— Nothing is right! —Albert replied. — It seems that the world will fall onto my head! I am coming from the hospital where I went to visit my mom and her state is critical. My dad is unemployed and the expenses with the hospital are getting bigger, making us worried. Not only that, I’ve been having low grades at school and I’m not sure whether I’ll be approved this year.
He paused and, emotional, trying not to cry, concluded:
— As you can see, I’ve got loads of reasons to be upset.
The kind man heard the boy’s complaints. Then, he looked at the sky and said:
— Look. Heavy clouds announce rain soon. Hurry up.
Albert looked up without interest. Dark and heavy clouds were in the sky. A storm was brewing up.
— The clouds are accumulating, accumulating, so that the rain pours cleaning up the atmosphere. So it happens to us, Albert. Many times we have an inner storm and it is needed that we “clean” ourselves too. I know you are a brave and valiant boy, but don’t be afraid to cry. Tears do well and relieve the pain.
At this moment the rain starts pouring and they had to find shelter in someone else’s porch.
Albert looked at the man and, all of a sudden, started crying, washing his soul.
The old man hugged him and they remained like this, as the rain kept pouring.
Half an hour later stopped raining. The clouds, taken by the wind, went away and the sun came back, clearing everything again.
— You see, Albert? — the old man said. — The sun shines again, and a few minutes ago it was all dark and rainy. See how the air is clear. It seems like a miracle! The leaves and flowers are back again and there is a beautiful rainbow in the sky! That’s why; you got to be brave my son. Trust in God and have faith. Things change and what seems to have no solution now can be solved later on.
Albert looked at the old man gratefully.
— Thanks, Mr. John. You helped me a lot. I feel much better now.
They took different ways. The man was going to work and the boy went to school to see his grades.
More confident, Albert got to school and had a good surprise: He was approved!
Joyful, he ran home to tell his dad the news. His dad, who had been worried as well, was happier because he had been promised a job.
— That’s good, my son! I also have good news. A friend of mine needs an assistant and invited me to work with him. I don’t know much about it, but when there’s a will, there’s a way.
Later, they went to the hospital to tell his mom the news which she would certainly get happy. Another good surprise. The doctor was optimistic and assured them that, if everything kept like that, she would go home soon.
For the boy’s happiness, John went to visit his mother too and was told about the news. And Albert said:
— You were right. Things change and we need to trust in God! Everything is ok now. The storm is over!
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Fabiana wandered on the streets of the city. She felt cold and lonely. She admired well-groomed women, taking by the hand happy and neatly dressed children, who were not aware of her presence.
From a poor family, she lived in the outskirts of the city. She wanted to have a better life, but her father worked in a factory and earned a little; her mother washed clothes, and she made some money from it, while Fabiana took care of her small brothers.
Fabiana wanted to study, to have a profession and make money to help her family, but she was only twelve.
Passing by a garden, she sat to rest. Soon, she heard someone crying. She rose to her feet, trying to find the sobbing, and found a little girl on the floor, in tears.
— What happened? — she asked, worried.
— I fell down and got my knee hurt. Look! — she said, wiping her tears away and showing the bruised knee, where blood came from.
Touched by the girl’s situation, which was about three years old, Fabiana said:
— Never mind. Soon you’ll get better. Where are your parents?
— My dad died. And my mom is working. I left home. I wanted to talk to someone who gave me a little attention. You were the only person who talked to me!
They couldn’t tell, but Otávio, the girl’s father, disincarnated, worried about her daughter, was there trying to help her. He smiled when he saw the attention Fabiana gave her.
— What’s your name? —Fabiana asked, feeling sorry for the girl.
— Sofia.
— What a beautiful name. And where do you live, Sofia?
— Near here. In that house! — the girl answered, pointing with her finger.
Fabiana, followed by Otávio, put the girl on her lap, crossed the street and took her to the gate. She rang the doorbell and waited. Soon, a maid showed up. When she saw the girl with a stranger, she got surprised:
— Sofia! Did you leave home? How come?
— It was when the gardener arrived. I left, and he didn’t see me!
Angry, the maid shouted:
— That’s nice! Leaving home, aren’t you? And hanging around with strangers! Don’t you know you can’t talk to strangers?
— Fabiana is not a stranger, Emma. She is my friend.
As the maid was so nervous, Fabiana explained:
— Don’t shout at Sofia, please. I found her lain on the floor, hurt, and I brought her home. She needed a bandage.
Emma said:
— Well, do it yourself. She got hurt because she wanted to. Right inside, Sofia!
The little girl, though, was afraid, and didn’t want to go in alone. Worried about her, Fabiana went in too.
Coming into the house, which was a mansion really, Fabiana was impressed with the beauty and the decoration.
Since the maid didn’t worry about her bruise, Sofia picked up the first-aid kid and, carefully, Fabiana wrapped a little bandage, while Emma kept whining, screaming.
But Clara, Sofia’s mom, got out of her job earlier, and arrived at the time when Emma opened the gate and, without being noticed, heard it all. She parked her car on the street, came inside and was standing by the door, surprised, observing the scene.
When Emma saw her, she got scared. She gave a little smile, trying to justify herself:
— Dona Clara, I told Sofia that she needed...
With a serious look, she interrupted the maid:
— Don’t worry, Emma. I heard everything. We talk later.
Sofia ran to her mom, happy. She hugged her, begging:
— Mommy! I’m so glad to see you! Stay with me! I don’t want to be alone anymore.
As she saw the stranger, she greeted her, kindly, when Sofia explained:
— Mommy, this is Fabiana, my friend. I left home and fell down in the garden. Fabiana took me home and look at what she did on my knee!
With a smile, her mom thanked Fabiana for taking care of her daughter. She invited her to sit down and talked to her, asking some questions. So she learned what she did, where she lived, and how poor she was.
While they talked, Emma prepared something to eat, and her mom noticed that every time Emma came closer, her daughter would be afraid. As she noticed the situation, she asked the maid to come back to the kitchen.
When Emma left the room, Sofia asked:
— Mommy, can Fabiana stay with me?
— This is impossible, darling. Fabiana has her family and needs to come back home — she said.
— I go if she goes, mommy. She’s my friend. She likes me and I don’t want to stay her with Emma — the girl said.
Fabiana thought that, for sure, living in a house like that would be a dream for her. However, she couldn’t abandon her family, who needed her.
As she thought about her family, Fabiana noticed it was getting late. She said bye to Sofia, left her address and promised to come back to visit her.
Going home, she found her home fixing dinner, while her father repaired the iron and her brothers played in the room.
There was so much love in everything, so much harmony in that simple life that she got emotional.
— Mommy! Daddy! I know I’ve complained about our life. But today I’m not. I wouldn’t change my life for anything. We may not have everything, but here we have the love of a true family and no money can pay that.
Everybody hugged.
On the following day, at dusk, Sofia and her mother paid a visit to Fabiana, and so they met José and Anna.
Clara noticed how poor that home was; she talked to Fabiana’s parents, and she liked them. Later, accepting Otávio’s suggestion, disincarnated, who was there, and she had an idea and explained:
— José and Anna! I live alone and I work a lot. Since Otávio, my husband, died, I have to take care of our business. This way, I’m forced to leave my daughter with strangers. Sofia, ever since she met Fabiana, liked her a lot. Now I’m here, I met you, and I want to propose you something: I have a small house at the back of my garden. I need someone trustful to take care of my home and my daughter while I work, which Anna is capable of doing. As for you, José, you can keep working, and, in your free time, take care of the garden and other chores. Besides, the kids can go to school, which is near; I can take care of it myself. What do you think? This way, I believe we can help each other!
Everybody was happy, especially Otávio who suggested that, and Sofia, who would live with Fabiana. Besides, she would have more people to play with!
The little Sofia, emotional, feeling her dad’s presence that was living in the Spirit-world, said wisely:
— I feel that dad is so happy.
In the Spirit-world, Otávio thanked God the help to his family, touched by his daughter words, witnessing that no one dies and, after death, we keep loving our family and helping them whenever they need.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Paul was raised with love and care by his parents.
He studied in a nice school, had a great teacher and friends to have fun with. In short, he was a happy student.
However, one time entered an older boy who got transferred from another school. A persuasive boy, Robert started to dominate Paul, who thought his new friend was a great leader.
From this day on, Paul started having low grades, he didn’t do the homework anymore, had problems at home and got home late at night, and his mom was not aware of that.
He didn’t listen to his parents and teacher; the boy was getting more and more undisciplined, disrespectful and uninterested in everything that he was taught so far.
His parents, worried, didn’t know what to do.
At this time, Paul’s father started having health problems. His heart was seriously sick and he needed to follow a strict treatment.
One day, Paul got home late at night and couldn’t get in. There was nobody home.
Without knowing what to do, he looked for information with a neighbor. Thus, he learned that his father was not feeling well and was taken to the nearest hospital.
Anxious, he ran to the hospital and found his mother crying.
— Thanks God you arrived, my son — she said.
— How is daddy? — he asked.
— He is being examined by the doctor, Paul, but we took too long and I’m afraid it’s too late.
— But, why mommy? Why didn’t you ask Ann to call from a pay phone?
— I did, my son, but the phone is out of order.
Very disappointed, the boy remembered that his gang destroyed the phone for fun. He insisted:
— But there is an Emergency department near home. Why didn’t you call an ambulance?
His mom said:
— We tried, Paul... but the ambulance, unfortunately, had all its four tires flat, done by a gang of bad guys, according to them.
Very ashamed, Paul remembered that, also for fun, they damaged the ambulance that was on the street.
Feeling sorry, in tears, Paul confessed all he did to his mother, and said:
— If daddy dies, I’ll never forgive myself. Because of me he couldn’t get the help he needed.
His mom listened to the story carefully and said:
— It is always time to regret from our misdeeds, my son. Pray for God on behalf of his father. He always helped us whenever we needed.
Some time later, the doctor came to say that everything was fine and the patient would soon get well.
Full of joy, mom and son hugged each other, thanking God first.
And, from that day on, Paul became the boy he used to be, recognizing that respecting others’ things is very important, especially the public ones that help society, and we never know when we are going to need them too.
Instead of transmitting his good qualities to his friends, he got dominated by them.
Paul promised himself that he would do all he could so that his friends would understand that only respect and love can make us become better people.
Loyal to his promises, Paul looked for the telephone company and the hospital confessing all that he did and saying he was willing to repair them.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Once upon a time in a far away country, there was a man who was always unhappy.
All work was hard and unpleasant. He wouldn’t like to do anything and any minor job he was told to do was done improperly.
He kept whining and turned out to be a persona non grata even with his relatives.
If he was told to treat and feed the horses, he complained about the smell of the animals. If he had to run some errands in the city, he said he was not feeling well. If he had to gather the herd when it was getting dark, he said the fog was harmful to his health.
After all, any task that was conferred on him was badly accomplished, even though he had a healthy body and strong arms.
One day, another servant and he were sent to the city to do a job, and, as usual, he went on complaining about his life.
— So, this is it. The dirty work is always on me. I always get the hardest things and, as if it were not enough, I feel my body badly hurt. I can’t stand it anymore!
The other one replied, patiently:
— It is not like that, my friend. We all work hard, that’s true. But we are rewarded, because our boss is good and generous. We can’t complain. Furthermore, every job is a blessing from God.
— Nonsense! We are treated like animals and work our socks off to earn little money. Ah! I wish I had a different life, not needed to work!
And they saw on the road, further ahead, a man sitting under a tree, in front of a little gate which led to a simple but clean house, he pointed at him and said:
— Take a look at that man over there, calmly sitting. I bet he has no problems. And, to be sitting at this time of the day, he is not supposed to be working. Now, this is life!
They came closer. The man looked at them peacefully. As it was a bit cold, he had a worn-out scarf, but clean.
They started a conversation, and the unhappy servant inquired:
— Tell me, good man, what do you do for a living? You definitely don’ need to! Ah, I envy you!
The stranger looked at him and said:
— That’s true. I don’t work as I used to because I can’t. I’ve always been a hard-working man. I would get home exhausted, but happy, because I had worked properly. One day, though, I was taking a wagon to the village when I suffered an accident. The horses got scared and the wagon lost control. I tried to deter the animals, which broke loose, so I jumped on them and got between them, holding them with my fists. But suddenly I lost balance, and fell over. I got really hurt, but thanks God, I’m still alive.
And, as he paused, he uncovered his legs, saying:
— I have no legs now, but I never complained. I can still do many things, I tell you. I still have two arms, quick fingers and a sensible mind. I told you I don’t work as I used to...
And, pointing with his hand, he showed a happy boy who came closer bringing some straw.
— I now make these baskets to sell. My son helps me out and we have been living off it.
And he said, emotionally:
— God is very kind! I have a loving family, I can still work e and I am alive because of His grace. As you can see, I have everything I need to be happy.
The unhappy servant got his head down, ashamed of his behavior. Touched, he went away meditating on all the blessings God had given him and he always took for granted.
From this day on he became another man. With good nature and happiness he accomplished all his tasks, always thanking God the opportunities we have in life.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Rushing towards school, Orlando met a group of classmates he was having trouble with. With no apparent reason, since some tine, Pedro started hating him and ill treated him wherever he went to.
So, as he saw the group was approaching, Orlando got worried.
He had his reasons. Going past him, Pedro threw Orlando’s school bag on the floor, trying to provoke, and then went away giggling.
Orlando, though, didn’t react. Peacefully, bent down, got his bag, and kept walking as if nothing had happened.
At school, while the teacher wrote on the blackboard, Pedro went to Orlando’s desk and put all his school material down.
As she heard the noise, the teacher turned around. Pedro, in his place already, muffled his laughter, followed by all the other students.
— What happened, Orlando? — she asked as she saw all his books lain on the floor.
Picking up his books, the boy apologized:
— Never mind, teacher. I just dropped them.
And that happened every day. Pedro always found new ways to bug his classmate: at the soccer game, at school or on the street.
Orlando never reacted, and this made Pedro angrier.
One day, Orlando was riding a bike when he saw Pedro and his group coming on the other way. He tried to deviate, but without success. He was face to face with them again.
Orlando got off the bike, while the boys surrounded him. Pedro got closer with a menacing look.
— This is your end, loser!
As he said that, he raised his fists, ready to punch. Orlando kept staring at him.
— Come on, coward! Fight!
But Orlando remained silent, even though there were tears in his eyes.
The boys laughed, supporting Pedro who, tired of waiting, started attacking.
Meanwhile, a man who was passing by saw what was happening and came up to help Orlando. The group, scared, went off running, but they heard the man asking:
— Do you know those boys? Do you want to follow them?
Wiping his tears, the little Orlando answered:
— No. Never mind. They didn’t mean to. Leave them alone, sir.
A bit surprised, the man respected Orlando’s will. And, after making sure everything was all right, went away, advising him to take care.
On the following day, Orlando went on an errand and saw Pedro coming down the street. He was for sure doing shopping for his mom, because he had a grocery bag with him.
Suddenly, absent-minded, Pedro didn’t see a hole in the asphalt. He fell from his bike, hitting his head on the floor. He started bleeding. Feeling a lot of pain, Pedro cried.
Orlando came up to him, attentive:
— Are you OK? Do you want to go to the hospital? You’re hurt and in need of help.
Surprised to see him, Pedro answered:
— Never mind. I’m fine.
— Thank God! Do you want me to help you get home? — asked Orlando, picking up tomatoes and carrots that were all over the floor.
Pedro was confused. He couldn’t understand why Orlando was so kind to him. The boy’s attitude set him thinking. Then, he said:
— Orlando, you should hate me. I treat you so badly and never miss the opportunity to challenge, humiliate and diminish you in front of our classmates. Why are you helping me?!...
— Because I learned to return goodness for evil — said the boy.
Astonished by his answer, Pedro said:
— Now I see why you never reacted to my challenges. But who taught you those things?
—Jesus. The teacher of Christian Moral, at the Spiritist Center that I attend, talked about this the other day. Jesus said “whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also”. And, more than that, we should love, not only our friends, but also our foes. That’s it.
Silent, Pedro heard Orlando’s explanation. In fact, he realized he had never talked to him, and never thought about it. Now, listening to him, he realized that Orlando was different from his friends, more aware and responsible, despite his young age.
Pedro felt, at that time, that grudge had disappeared in his heart.
— Thank you! — he just said, leaving.
On Sunday, as he got to the Center, Orlando had a nice surprise.
There he met Pedro, smiling, though a bit shy, ready to attend the evangelization class as well.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Sitting at the door of her house with Claudia, a friend of hers, Mariana was amused to see people that were passing by, making comments about them. She said, laughing:
— See, Claudia, that woman over there. What a terrible outfit!
Then she said:
— What about that one? Take a look at her hair. She looks like a witch! Just the broom is missing! — and burst in laughter.
As she saw a boy passing in front of her, she said loudly, not caring if she would be heard:
— Take a look at these sneakers! They’re worn out! Maybe he found them in the garbage can.
The boy, who heard Mariana’s remark, turned back and looked at them feeling humiliated, and, bending his head down, kept walking in silence.
Claudia, kind-hearted, got ashamed by her friend’s attitude.
— Mariana, we need to respect people. We can’t treat them like that. Did you just see how the boy got upset?
Mariana replied, shaking her shoulders:
— Who cares? I’m glad he heard that, so he’ll think twice before wearing them again!
— It’s not his fault to be poor, Mariana. Probably that’s his best pair of shoes! Besides, Jesus taught that we should do unto others as we would have others do unto us. Would you like to be treated that way?
Mariana, though, who was not used to be contested by her friend, complained:
— You’re a fool! Get over yourself!
She stood up angrily and slammed the door, leaving Claudia alone at the gate.
Her mom, seeing her that way inquired:
— That’s so mean, my daughter! Why did you slam the door like that?
And Mariana, in a fit of rage, answered:
— Claudia is so annoying, mom! I can’t stand anymore. I don’t want to be her friend again.
Her mom kept silent, just inviting her to have lunch.
The family was gathered to have the meal. Sitting at the table, Mariana was still moody: complained about her little brother, that was not eating properly; her grandfather, who was making noises to have soup; the food, that was not good; and even the dog, which was barking in the yard.
After the meal, her mom called Mariana, sat with her on the couch and, carefully, asked:
— My daughter, do you want to tell me what made you so angry?
Calmer, Mariana told her everything. Her mom heard in silence, while she remembered all the times she had already talked about it to her daughter, and said:
— Your friend Claudia is right, my darling. Start observing your behavior and you will notice that you just see the bad side of things. Now at lunch time, you kept on criticizing your little brother, the grandpa, the food and even the dog you like so much. You said nothing good!
Her mom stopped talking; analyzing the effect it had on her daughter, and went on:
— Don’t you think you should change the way you see life, trying to look for the bright side of people, situations and things? You’ll be happier, believe me. Besides, Jesus taught that every man will receive according to his deeds. You are going to reap what you sow. It’s the Law.
Mariana heard her mom’s words and kept thinking the rest of the day.
On that night, they went to visit her grandmother who lived across the city. On the way back, it started raining and the wind was strong. The temperature fell and, when they got home, it was pouring down.
On the following day, Mariana woke up with a sore throat and voiceless. As she saw her mom in the kitchen making breakfast, she took a piece of paper and wrote:
— You were right. I’m reaping already!
As she read what was written, her mom smiled and said:
— It is natural to be like this, honey. It was cold yesterday!
Despite her mom’s comment, Mariana was sure that she was receiving for what she had done. She had talked too much, disrespecting her fellows, and now she was voiceless.
— What if I never talk again?!... — she thought, scared.
At that moment, Mariana took a decision. She would change her way to be, looking at the bright side of everything and respect people.
She started to put in practice her good deeds as soon as she left home for school, making apologies to Claudia for what she had done. But, calm and good natured, her friend had already forgotten the argument.
Happy, looking up at the sky, Mariana said:
— What a beautiful day!
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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The day was beautiful and pleasant. Marcelo, though, arrived home nervous and irritated.
He came in stamping his feet, slammed the door and threw his backpack on a chair.
His mom, who observed him, came closer asking:
— Why are you so moody, my son? Sun is shining out there and life is beautiful! What happened to justify the nasty way you came in today?
The boy answered, grumpy:
— I’m mad at Gabriel. Besides ripping my favorite book, he still argued with me. I’ll never forgive him!
His mom hugged him and said:
— Don’t say that, my son. We all need forgiveness, because we also make mistakes. Jesus taught that we should forgive not only seven times, but seventy times seven. That is, he taught that we should always forgive. Besides, we should never judge others. I wonder if Gabriel tore your book on purpose.
— I couldn’t care less. I don’t him as a friend anymore — said the boy.
His mom went with her fingers through his hair and said:
— Try to forgive, Marcelo. While you don’t forget it, you won’t have peace and happiness.
— I can’t, mom. I think I don’t know how to forgive.
His mom seemed to meditate for some time and then she said:
— Do you remember when you got that bike?
— How could I forget? —Marcelo replied. — How many times I fell down till I started riding around!
— That’s true, my son. Today, though, you don’t remember it anymore when you go for a ride. What about swimming?
— Those were hard times! — the boy said.
— And when you started reading and writing? — his mom insisted.
— That was hard. Thanks God now I know how to do both — the boy said, happy.
— So, my son, no pain, no gain. Our shortcomings also need a whole lot of good will of our part to be improved. And grudge is one of them. We need to learn how to forgive.
— Ah! Got that already. You mean that I need to exercise forgiveness, right?
— Exactly.
— Ok, mom. I’ll try.
On the following day, Marcelo went to play with a neighbor and, accidentally, broke the kid’s miniature car.
Sad, but conformed, the boy accepted his apologies, saying:
— It doesn’t matter, Marcelo. I know you didn’t mean to.
As he heard his friend’s words, that should be mad at him, Marcelo remembered his mom’s words when she said everybody needs forgiveness.
On that same day, he looked for his classmate and, with a sincere smile, said:
— I want to apologize if I were rude the other day, Gabriel.
— You were right, Marcelo. I tore your book — the boy said.
— But I’m sure you didn’t mean to — he said.
— That’s right. It fell off my hands and, trying to hold it, I ended up tearing it.
They hugged each other, promising a mutual friendship.
After classes, Marcelo took Gabriel to his house and introduced to his mother.
— Mom, this is my “friend” Gabriel — he said, stressing the word.
Satisfied by his son’s smile, his mom realized the misunderstanding was over and that Marcelo had learned how to forgive.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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After the class, Carlos was homebound when, walking on a busy street, saw a man fallen on the sidewalk.
Touched by the beggar’s situation, Carlos wanted to do something to help.
But, how? He was a kid and no one paid attention to him.
He tried to wake him up, but he never moved.
Scared, the boy tried to ask for help of the passers-by, but everybody was in a hurry, not even looking at him.
A bit dismayed, Carlos saw a priest coming and got hopeful. He talked to the man, begging:
— Priest, help this poor man in difficulties!
The priest cast an indifferent look upon the beggar and said:
— Unfortunately, I can’t. I’m late. I’m off to church where I have a mass in some minutes.
As he said that, he kept walking, leaving the boy disappointed.
It didn’t take long, Carlos saw a nice man coming up, with some books.
Full of courage, he asked:
— Sir, you should be a good man that reads a lot, because of the books you carry, can you help this poor man?
The stranger looked at the beggar on the sidewalk, and, straightening his glasses, replied:
— I can’t. I’m bound for the library where I have to study. Besides, he’s got nothing that a strong coffee doesn’t heal. He’s drunk!
Coldly, without worrying about the boy’s affliction, he went on, in a hurry.
Carlos was about to give up when he saw his teacher of Evangelization, coming up to him. Happy, the boy ran up to her, saying:
— Thanks God you are here, Ms. Marta. Look, this poor man needs help!
The teacher came closer, looking at the beggar on the sidewalk. Then, looking at the watch, she said:
— I would love helping this man, Carlos, but unfortunately I’m going home and I need to fix dinner. I was going to supermarket where I need to buy some things before it closes.
As he heard these excuses, the boy couldn’t hide his feelings. His eyes were watering and he murmured to himself:
— Will this man find a good Samaritan?
Surprised, his teacher asked:
— What did you just say?
— That’s it, Ms. Marta. Do you remember the Story of the Good Samaritan that you told us last Sunday? So what! I’ve been here for quite some time now and no one answers my requests. Even a priest passed by, and a teacher, and no one could help him.
He paused and, looking at the teacher, said:
— Will a good Samaritan come, just like the story Jesus told?
Deeply touched by the boy’s words, the teacher replied, ashamed:
— You’re right, Carlos. We got to do something.
She thought for a while and remembered that, not far from there, there was a hospital.
Decided, she called and, after some minutes, an ambulance was taking the beggar to hospital.
Marta went along with the boy, where the doctor examined the patient. After some time, the doc said:
— Fortunately he arrived on time. He is sick and so weak that, had it not been for you, he would have died. Now he will receive the necessary treatment for his recovery. He is on medicine, and will soon get well.
Happy, Marta and Carlos hugged each other. They decided, then, they would come back to the hospital every day to visit their new friend.
Emotional, the teacher said:
— Thanks to you, Carlos, today we act as true Christians!
Aunt Célia
(Adaptation of the Story of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10:30 to 37.)
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Although she was not rich, Clara had everything she needed. She lived in a comfortable house, she had a loving family and her dad always bought her things.
But Clara had a big problem: the lie.
She lied constantly, to anyone in anytime. She lied so much that she couldn’t stop anymore. Lying had become a habit in her life and when it was least expected, she was there making things up again.
In fact, she felt a real pleasure in this and her eyes brimmed with satisfaction whenever she made up a story.
One day, Clara was at school when a neighbor came up to her to ask if she knew where her parents were.
She started wondering:
— Of course I know! My parents went to visit my uncle John who is very sick. You see? He’s got this stomach problem and...
— And where does your uncle live?
— He lives near here. I don’t know the address, but it is close to the supermarket.
The man thanked and left, worried.
When Clara left school, after her classes, she went home picking up flowers and browsing the shop windows at the gift store.
Arriving near home, she noticed an unusual roar. There was smoke all over the place and the neighbors tried to put out the fire.
As she saw her parents sweaty and tired, who were taking the things outside home. Clara asked surprised:
— What’s going on, dad?
Turning back to her, he answered bluntly:
— Well, my daughter, your mother forgot the iron turned on and the house caught fire. Our neighbors could tell by the smoke that something wrong was going on, so they asked you.
Clara, red as a beet, was ashamed.
— So, we went to visit Uncle John who is sick?
Clara tried to apologize, stuttering:
— Dad, I’m sorry. I never thought it could do any harm!
— “Any harm”? Daughter, do you realize what you did with this lie? We lost almost everything! Had you told the truth, it means, that we had gone to the ranch, near the city, part of the problem could have been solved. Although they tried to help, our friends couldn’t get the door open, because it was locked. Had they found us before, nothing would have happened.
— I feel so bad!
— I hope you can take a lesson from it, Clara. Thank God, we only lost material stuff. Our family is fine — he completed, relieved.
Clara promised with watery eyes:
— I’ll control myself, dad. I won’t tell lies anymore. From now on I just want to tell the truth.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Carlos, a very naughty boy, came in home feeling upset.
He was in the yard playing soccer with his friends and, unintentionally, he broke the glass of a window.
His dad, reading the paper in the porch, saw what happened. He came up to him and said:
— Be careful, my son! Never kick the ball like that. You just broke our window. What if it was our neighbor’s? I would have to pay! And what if you had hurt someone?
— But, daddy, it wasn’t my fault!
— Whatever, you’ve caused us damage and I’ll deduct from your allowance.
Getting in the kitchen, Carlos sat in chair, angry. Maria, the maid, doing the dishes, asked:
— What happened, Carlos?
— My father shouted at me just because I broke a window. He said he was going to deduct from my allowance. It’s always my fault! Always!!
Maria, who was very fond of the boy, replied:
— Carlos, we are always responsible for our actions. And your father was just trying to teach you to be like that, disciplined and respectful towards others’ things.
— Maria, but he shouts at me all the time! To take a shower, do the homework, organize my toys. I’m tired! I wish I had another dad. Maria, listen, I think I won’t give him a present on Father’s Day.
— He does that because he loves you, Carlos. And he doesn’t shout at you all the time.
Carlos, calmer, thought for a bit and agreed.
He remembered all the times his father took him out, went fishing, had ice cream, and rode a bicycle. All the times he arrived tired from work, but helped him with the homework, that he couldn’t do alone.
More: he remembered the times that his father got in his room to kiss him good night.
— You’re right, Maria. My dad does care about me.
And Maria, who suffered a lot, laid her hand on his head, sat by his side and said:
— I’m going to tell you a story, Carlos. There is a boy who, since he was a kid, was very naughty, did bad things, shouted at the neighbors, didn’t respect people, but there was nobody to teach him. His mom loved him a lot and, as the boy had no dad, she didn’t want him to suffer. So, she always forgave the boy, giving him special attention. She never believed in the teachers at school nor the people who came up to her to complain about her son. One day, he started stealing things. At the beginning, there were small robberies, but then he started stealing bigger things, radios, TV sets, and even cars.
Carlos was interested in the story:
— And then? — he asked.
— Well, he ended up in jail. Her mom regrets not giving him a proper education.
The boy was impressed.
— Do you know him, Maria?
With her eyes watering she said:
— Yes, I do. This boy is my son.
At that moment the boy realized that, although Maria worked at his house since he was born, he knew nothing about her life.
Maria stopped talking, wiped her tears away, and said:
— So, Carlos, thank God every day for having a dad that cares about you and loves you. If I had cared about giving a good education and religious orientations to my son, he would be with me now.
Carlos, then, said:
- That’s why mommy and daddy always say that the Gospel of Jesus will make us better people.
— That’s right, Carlos. However, I didn’t know at the time.
Back from shopping, his mom came in and Carlos ran up to her.
— Mommy! Mommy! We need to buy dad’s gift!
— Easy, my son! Why are you so anxious about that?
— It’s because I found out I have a wonderful dad! THE BEST DAD IN THE WORLD!
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Laura studied in the school of her neighborhood, and she was in the third grade of the Elementary.
She didn’t worry a lot about the studies, but she always got approved, though with difficulty.
Now, at the end of the year, Laura would take an important test.
Her mother told her to study, but Laura answered:
— Later. Now I’m playing.
— Laura, let’s study, my daughter!
— Later, mom. I need to talk to my friend now.
Some hours later her mom called her again, and she replied:
— Tomorrow, mom. Can I watch TV? Just a little!
Later, she got sleepy and went to bed and, on the following day, everything happened again.
Now the time of test has come.
Nervous, Laura went to school and came back disappointed.
A total shame! She got an F in the test and became a laughing stock. All the others did well and though it was easy. Only she knew nothing, and because of that, she didn’t answer.
The teacher called her, asking why she did so bad, but Laura, head down and ashamed, didn’t answer.
As she got home she told her mom, crying a lot. She felt humiliated, she thought nobody liked her. And she made a decision:
— I’m not going to school anymore! I don’t want to see anybody.
Her mom, stroking her hair said:
— Don’t act this way, my daughter. In fact, you deserved it. You reap what you sow, got it? As you studied nothing, how could you know? Your failure is only yours!
The girl looked at her mom, surprised, not crying anymore.
— Maybe. But I’m not going back to that school anymore! And, after all, I failed already!
Her mom smiled, she knew it was not time to insist on that. Laura would think and, probably, change her attitude.
To wind up, she invited her to go to the bakery. On the way, the girl, who was absent-minded, tripped over a banana skin and fell down!
Quickly, she looked around, to see if someone had noticed it. Laura went back on her feet, ashamed.
Her mom saw in that incident an opportunity for a lesson and said:
— Why didn’t you keep lying on the floor?
Laura looked at her mom, surprised with the question.
— What? Why I didn’t stay on the floor? Of course not!
— Ah! You didn’t think about being lying on the sidewalk?
Laura replied, horrified:
— Of course not, mom! I got back on my feet as soon as I could!
The lady nodded her head, and agreed:
— That’s right, my daughter. That’s how it works. Don’t you think the situation you have at school is similar?
Laura heard and kept thinking.
— Think about it, darling. In our lives difficulties are obstacles we need to overcome. And no matter how many times we fall, we need to get back on our feet and keep going.
The girl smiled.
— That’s right, mom! A bad test doesn’t mean anything; I just need to start studying. I’m going to school tomorrow.
On the following day, early, Laura came back to class and, her teacher gave her a new opportunity with a make-up test.
After all, that problem which seemed to be unsolvable was in fact quite small.
And Laura, from that day on, whenever she felt like giving up, she remembered the banana skin.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Sylvia lived in a comfortable house, had loving parents, attended a good school and had everything.
Only child, she was used to see all her demands met, and never took “no” as an answer.
As the years passed by, Sylvia’s parents realized how much they made of a mistake about her education. They understood that they had transformed the girl, now 8, into a selfish, arrogant, unsatisfied, proud and demanding creature. Whenever they said no, she would make a scene, screaming at the top of her lungs.
After being through countless bloopers, Sylvia’s parents decided it was time for a change, before it got too late. What could be cute in a two-year old kid was unacceptable in an eight-year old girl.
As they wanted to give her a reality check, one day her mother said:
— Come on, my daughter. We are going out.
— Sweet! Let’s go shopping? I really need a lot of things! I want to buy some blouses, three pairs of jeans, some shoes and also toys. I’m tired of the ones I have. They are old and useless! — the girl said, giving a grimace.
Her mom said calmly:
— We are not going shopping, Sylvia.
— Oh! No? So where are we going, can you tell me?
— We are going to make a visit.
— I don’t want any visits! I want to do shopping! — the kid replied, moody.
Still calm, her mom insisted:
— First the visit. Later, if you behave, let’s see!
Without further explanations, Yolinda grabbed his daughter by the hand and took her to the car. With a bad face, the girl looked through the window.
The car left the busy avenues, heading to the outskirts of the city. Where were they going? —Sylvia thought.
They parked in a very poor street. The houses were ugly, the people dirty and badly-dressed. On the streets, there was neither asphalt nor sidewalk. Kids were playing on the earth, amongst puddles of smelly mud.
Sylvia was disgusted. What an awful place!
Her mom looked calm. She walked peacefully, greeting others with a friendly smile. In front of a house, she stopped. Knocked on the door and someone came to open it. It was a woman with a badly combed hair, dirty face and hand-mended clothes.
— Good morning, Maria. We stopped by for a visit.
The woman got happy as she heard the news.
— Yolinda! Nice to have you here! Come in! Come in!
Sylvia found it weird. She never thought her mother kept relationship with “them”.
They came in. The house was really small. In the living room, which was also a bedroom, Sylvia saw a bed. She came up to it, curious.
A girl, who looked her age, was in bed.
— Is she sick? — she asked, surprised.
— Marcia, when was a baby, got very sick. From that time on, she hasn’t been able to get out of this bed. She doesn’t walk, speak, see... She can only hear. I still have to feed her. She can’t go to the bathroom, so I always need new clothes. Right now, she’s wet already. I need to change her.
Sylvia kept looking at that girl who was lying, and could not get out of there, to play, go to school nor hang out. Her eyes were watering and she felt her heart full of compassion.
At this moment, her mom said:
— Maria, I brought food, milk and cookies; to Marcia, clothes and shoes. Besides, take this money. It’s not much, but I think it will be enough to pay the water bill, the light and gas. If you need anything else, let me know. I know you are alone and can’t work because you have to take care of Marcia.
The poor woman could not be happier. With tears in her eyes she thanked, pleased:
— Yolinda, it was Jesus who sent you here. May God bless you! You will always have enough for you and your daughter.
They said good bye. Got in the car, and started the way back. When they arrived downtown, Yolinda asked:
— Do you want to go shopping now, my daughter?
Sylvia sighed and shook her head:
— No, mom. I think I don’t need anything. In fact, I have too much.
The rest of the trip the girl remained silent.
Later, Sylvia called her mom in the room. There were two boxes on the floor, full of clothes, shoes and toys. With a broad smile, Sylvia asked:
— What about taking all these things to Marcia, mom? After all, I don’t need them. I’m sure that, there, it will be more useful. I’d like to give her some books too. As she can hear, I intend to read to her.
Yolinda hugged her daughter carefully. The lesson was well taken. Now she was sure that Sylvia would never be selfish and demanding anymore.
— You’re right, sweetheart. Today we are going to take all these things to Marcia. She’ll love it!
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
[Top]
Manuel was a good and compassionate man. His job was exercised with love and loyalty. He had a son who, even though was well educated, kept on being impolite and acted carelessly towards others.
The caring father tried to raise him well, saying that we should always love our fellows, as Jesus thought us.
– What about the animals? – Tony asked, impatiently.
– The animals too, my son. They are our brothers, they need our consideration, respect and love, and we also need them in our everyday life.
As they were in the country, his dad paused and explained, pointing to an animal that helped with the plough.
– See Gentil, for example. He is sweet and calm, he has always worked hard in the field, and over the years we have worked together, I have never seen him rebellious. He has never harmed anyone!
– I agree, because he helps you, dad. But the others!... – Tony replied.
– The other animals also help, my son. Each one has a different task, as important as this one. Mimosa, our cow, gives us the milk we drink every morning; the chickens give us their eggs and our dog works relentlessly, taking care of our home. So, all deserve our love and gratitude.
But Tony was yet to be convinced.
On the following day, Manuel invited Tony to go shopping in the city. Tony, excited about the ride, got on the wagon, happily.
As they arrived in the city, while his dad entered in the store to do shopping, Tony decided to look at the people on the street.
Time was passing by and his father was still there. The boy was getting impatient.
He looked at Gentil, who remained quiet, humble, without showing demonstrations of being impatient. He wanted to see if the animal had any reaction at all.
– I’m going for a walk. Let’s see if he is so obedient.
Tony looked around and saw a piece of wood, long and thin, in a building.
He took it and, at once, got on the wagon and ordered Gentil to walk. The animal didn’t recognize his owner’s voice and did not move.
Tony then decided to hit the wood on the horse. The horse was taken aback by this act and ended up making Tony to fall down.
As he heard the screams on the street, Manuel rushed towards his son.
As soon as he realized what had happened, through some passers-by accounts, Manuel got really angry.
– But, dad, you told me that Gentil was calm and he made me fall! – The boy said, surprised.
His dad, taking the son to the animal, told him:
– And why do you think he did that? See what you did to this poor animal!
The horse was bleeding. Tony had not realized that this was the reason for such a strong reaction of the animal.
Making use of this opportunity, Manuel said:
– Gentil is as tender as a lamb. He just defended himself from an aggression, instinctively. All of us, my son, receive according to what we do. Had you given him love and respect, you would have been treated accordingly. As you were mean, he hit back. See?
Ashamed, Tony nodded his head and promised he would keep this lesson in mind from that day on.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Joe was coming back from school with his school bag on his back and a ball on his hands. Playing, he kicked the ball and broke the window of a house he was passing by.
Afraid of what he had just done, he left away running and turned the corner, quickly.
Seth, his classmate, was coming behind; worried about a test he would take the day after, not even noticed what had happened.
As he passed by the house, he ran into a very angry man, who, grabbing him by the arm, yelled:
— Gotcha, naughty boy!
Scared, he couldn’t understand what happened, Seth said:
— I didn’t do anything! I don’t know what you’re talking about.
— How come? You’ve just broken my window and don’t know?
— I don’t know, sir. It wasn’t me! It wasn’t me!
— Oh, no? What about this ball, whose is it?
Seth recognized the ball, new and beautiful, which belonged to his friend Joe. But he didn’t tell on his buddy. He just answered:
— It’s not mine, sir, I swear!
— If you’re lying to me, you’ll regret. Come on! I’m going to your house and talk to your parents.
— Please, sir, let me go! My parents are working and there’s nobody home.
Seth cried and begged on his knees, so the man gave in. He let go off his arm and asked his address, which the boy said. Later, a bit calmer, he said:
— Tomorrow morning I’m going to school to talk to your teacher. What is your name?
— Joseph Brown, but people call me Seth.
— All right, Seth. You may go now.
Seth kept walking, relieved. On the following day everything was going to be okay, he was sure. Certainly Joe would be there for him.
In the morning, Seth got up confident, and went to school.
It was ten o’clock when the man appeared at the door of the classroom.
Teacher Deborah welcomed him and asked what he wanted. He came in and said what happened in front of the whole class.
Joe was afraid at his desk.
As this man told the story, Seth thought Joe would give away his identity, leaving him out of this.
As Joe kept his mouth shut, Seth got sad and disappointed.
Teacher Deborah, as she saw the situation, defended his student.
— You have your reasons to complain and even ask for a refund, but you can’t come here and accuse my student if you’re not sure. Besides, this ball is not Seth’s, I can assure you that.
— But someone broke my window with this ball and I want to know who did it.
She looked at the whole class, student after student. However, no one said anything. Angry, he said:
— All right. You’re hiding it, but I’ll find out who it was and, then, I’ll take measures. I’ll leave the ball right here. May the owner get it here, if he will. Have a nice day.
The man left the room fuming. After he left, Deborah looked at her class, sad, and considered:
— I’m really disappointed with you guys. No matter what we did, we have the moral duty to take on the responsibility. Lying is so bad and, omitting our responsibility, letting someone be accused in our place, is even worse.
Seth was crying, with his head down.
At this moment, Joe stood up, shy and ashamed:
— Teacher, I did it. But it wasn’t on purpose! It was an accident!
Then, turning to his friend, he said:
— Seth, I’m so sorry! I never meant to hurt you; I just got scared of my parents’ reaction if they came to know it. But, you knew I was the one who did it and even so, you didn’t tell on me, and so I get even more ashamed. Could you please forgive me?
Seth wiped his tears away and smiled:
— Of course, Joe. I knew I could trust you. We are friends, after all!
Joe came up to Seth and both hugged, happy to find a solution.
Then, Joe promised:
— Teacher, I promise when I leave here I’ll go straight to that man’s place, tell him the truth and take on the responsibility.
— Great, Joe. There you go! — agreed Deborah.
And Seth, by his side, said:
— I’m going with you, Joe.
The teacher hugged them both, and then looking at the other students, she informed:
— On this day we had a live lesson. A hard situation was solved in a peaceful way, and everybody matured a little more. Joe learned that lying is never good, and could feel Seth’s generosity as he was never betrayed, even though he was the culprit.
She stopped speaking for some seconds, and then went on:
— Joe is still facing some difficulties with this man, and also with his parents, but everything will get easier since he decided to be honest. I hope we all have learned the lesson.
As the class finished, Seth accompanied Joe, who explained to the man what had happened, apologizing and promising to pay what he had to, using his allowance to do so.
He would tell his parents what had happened, and he was sure everything would turn out well in the end.
The most difficult thing was to admit it. Everything else would be easier.
Calm and confident, Joe came home, and he was sure that, from that day one, there would be no problem he couldn’t solve.
He also learned that a sincere friendship like Seth’s, was invaluable and could not be taken for granted.
And from that day on, they would be even more friends.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Living in a comfortable house, Richard was a boy who led a safe life. A lovely family provided for him, and he attended a good school where he had many friends.
Richard, though, thought what God gave him was not good enough.
He always wanted more and wanted everything his friends had.
Do you know what this is? It is a very bad feeling called: ENVY.
If his parents gave him a miniature car, he complained angrily:
— I don’t want it. I want a car with remote control, just like the one Edward got on his birthday!
— But, darling, it’s too expensive! — his mom said, upset.
— I don’t care. I want, I want, I want! — he screamed, stamping his feet.
When his caring mother bought him clothes, he said:
— This is awful! Do you think I’ll wear “this”? These clothes are worthless!
— When I saw at the store I found it beautiful and I remembered you, my son — his mom said, disappointed.
— So you can get your money back. I’m not going to wear it. I like expensive clothes and fancy stores. In fact, what I really need is some “jeans” like Bob’s.
At the meal time it was always the same problem. Richard complained about everything:
— Vegetables again?
— Yes, my son. Vegetables are good for our health and they are delicious.
— Well, I won’t eat them! — the boy yelled, rejecting the food. — Had it been roasted chicken, as I saw the other day at Andy’s, I would eat it.
— My son — his mom answered — these things are expensive and life is so hard. You know we have everything, but daddy works hard to provide for us. We should thank God for everything we have and the peaceful life we lead.
The boy gave her the shoulders and left moaning.
Richard’s mom, in her prayers, always asked God to help her son, so envious and selfish, to see life with other eyes.
One day, the boy had argued with his parents; he wanted a new bicycle and, as they said no, the boy went out slamming the door, crying and complaining:
— Nobody likes me! Nobody gives me what I ask! I’m so unhappy. I want to live somewhere else!
Richard got to a square and sat in a bench. Sad, there he stayed, decided not to come back home; he wanted to scare his parents.
After some minutes he noticed a kid a bit smaller than him, sitting on the floor, looking so sad.
He approached him and didn’t even know why. Actually, he never cared for the others.
— Hi, there! — he said.
The boy raised his head and Richard saw he was crying.
— What happened? — he asked.
— I feel so lonely. I have nobody who likes me. I’m an orphan and I live on the streets — the boy mumbled.
— How come? Homeless?
— No. When my parents died I went to live with my aunt. But she treated me baldy and forced me to steal, saying that I ate a lot and it was hard to meet my demands. After some time, I couldn’t take it anymore; I left home and, since that day, I’ve been sleeping on benches.
— And where do you eat?
The boy smiled. He was sad and hopeless.
— Usually, I beg for food in some rich house, but I can’t get it every day. So, I look in trash cans searching for food. You have no idea how many good things you can find there!
Richard, who never thought there were people so poor, seemed surprised and shocked.
— How old are you? What’s your name?
— I’m eight and my name is Joe. What about you? You look sad too! Haven’t you got anybody too?
— I have, Joe - Richard said, proud. — I have a wonderful family and I’d like you to meet them. My mom is very kind and cooks simple food, but delicious. Do you want to have lunch with me?
Joe accepted happy. It’s been some time he didn’t eat and he was hungry.
When he got home, Richard introduced his new friends and, in tears, apologized for his behavior.
— Mommy, now I understand that God has been good to me giving us a nice and comfortable house. What else can I ask for?
Happy with the change his son had shown her, she hugged him, saying kindly:
— That’s good, my son, I’m glad you think this way. God has heard my prayers and, if we are not wealthy in terms of money, we are in love, peace, joy and health. Isn’t that so?
— Yeah, mom — Richard agreed, smiling.
Joe spent some days there and then, so well he adapted there, he ended up being adopted, making part of the family, and everybody got happy.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Living in a beautiful part of the field, among colored flowers, friendly trees, Vavá, the lightning bug, lived always unhappy and sad.
He felt small and useless. He flew over the roses and admired their beauty and smell; he got amazed at the butterflies which passed by him fancy dressed with their colored wings. He heard the magical song of the birds on the trees and got sad as he couldn’t even sing. Deep down, he envied them all, the roses, the butterflies, the birds and all those which were different from him.
Why did God create him like that? He was not as beautiful as the butterflies, didn’t smell as good as the roses and couldn’t sing like the birds!
The only thing he possessed was that flashlight on his back and no one else had it. Only him!
If he had a beautiful and bright light, just like the stars that Vavá would stare at night, or those light poles he would see sometimes in the city, it would be different. He would be proud of it. But no! This dim light was useless!
One day, Lady Rabbit showed up, very worried about her kid. The little one was sick and she needed a certain plant to make some tea.
She asked help for the Butterfly:
— Dear Butterfly, help me find the medicine for my son.
But the butterfly answered, widening her colored wings:
— How come? It’s getting dark and I can’t see a thing!
Lady Rabbit thanked and asked the rose, then:
— Please, dear Rose, help me find medicine for my son!
Shaking her beautiful head of soft petals, the rose answered, softly:
— I’d like to help you, but, unfortunately, I can’t walk and, even if I could, I wouldn’t be able to see in the dark!
Lady Rabbit thanked and, as she came across the bird, she said:
— You that fly to many places, could you help me find the plant that I need to heal my son?
The bird kept thinking and after answered:
— I might know where to find the plant you’re looking for, Lady Rabbit, but it’s so dark and I can’t fly, because I’d hit the trees. Besides, I don’t know exactly the place and now would be impossible to find it.
The poor rabbit got very sad and was about to give up and come back home without the plant. But the animals gathered to analyze the problem, worried about the situation, and started discussing what the solution could be.
Lady Owl, who heard everything in silence, on a branch of a tree, suggested:
— I can only think of one name to help us out.
— Who??!! — All asked at the same time.
— Vavá, the lightning bug!
They were surprised. How could they forget him?
— Me???...
— Of course! Who else possesses a flashlight? — the owl explained, happy.
So, they went to the place where the bird had seen the plant, always guided by Vavá, who was in charge, proudly lightening the way.
They searched... searched... searched... and finally, hidden, there it was.
Lady Rabbit, so happy and relieved, couldn’t thank him more:
— Thank you, Vavá! If it weren’t you and your flashlight I would’ve never got it. May God bless you!
Vavá, for the first time, felt he was helpful, and got happy. And he realized the gift God gave him was very... very important, and he could help many people.
Now, he didn’t care about not being beautiful as the butterflies, or smelling good as the roses, or singing like the birds.
He wouldn’t feel as a small and useless bug, excluded from the others. He was very important and had a task no one else could do: lighten the darkness.
And, from that day on, Vavá always walk through the field, confident and proud of his light, thanking God the gift he was given.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Beto, nine-year old boy, very poor, one day received a beautiful and tasty piece of cake.
With bright eyes, he grabbed the cake with his hands, it smelled good, and opened his mouth ready to devour it.
At this very moment, though, he stopped, remembered his younger brother, Renato, 7, who liked cake very much and had not eaten it for quite a while now.
With a sigh, he wrapped the piece of cake up and said:
— Yeah! I’ll give it as gift to Renato. My little brother is going to love it!
Later, Beto gave the small package to his brother who, opened it up, and couldn’t be happier:
— Great! I like cakes very much. Thanks, Beto.
But as he was going to bite the piece of cake, Renato remembered his sister Rosa, whose he liked a lot, and said:
— Ah! Beto, if you don’t mind, I’d like to give it as a gift to Rosa, my sister. She has been so good to me; she takes me to school, helps me with the homework and invites me out.
Beto agreed and both took the gift to their sister.
As she opened up the package, Rosa felt her mouth watering. When she was about to eat it, though, she remembered her older brother, Geraldo, and said:
— Since dad disincarnated, our situation has been so hard and Geraldo has worked a lot to provide for us. I think he deserves this piece of cake for everything he has done so far.
All of them agreed and, as it was time for Geraldo arrives from work, they kept waiting for him at the gate, anxiously.
When they saw him, the three of them came up to him. Rosa gave him the package.
Geraldo opened it up and smiled, happy. He was tired and hungry. He had worked the whole day and had barely eaten, so this piece of cake came in handy.
He remembered, though, his mother, who was always tired of working so hard and loved them anyway. He looked at his siblings and said:
— Fellow brothers and sisters. I appreciate the gift you just gave me, but I believe that Mom deserves this cake more than I do. She has always provided for all of us and it’s fair to give her this gift.
His brothers couldn’t agree more.
They came in and went towards the kitchen, where their mom prepared the frugal afternoon meal. Geraldo, surrounded by his brothers, explained what was happening and gave his mom the cake.
With her eyes watering, Mom looked at them and said, moved:
— Beto, Renato, Rosa and Geraldo. I’m so happy with you all. You’ve shown today we are a family; we love each other so much and care for each other, even forgetting about yourselves. You’ve learned the lesson in which Jesus says “Love your neighbor as yourself: do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. I’m very happy and Dad, wherever he is now, I’m sure he must be pretty well satisfied.
The kids were emotional, and Mom smiled at them, saying:
— And now, let’s have dinner. Later, we’ll slice this beautiful cake up so everyone can have a bite.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Janjão was a kind-hearted boy, but a bit disobedient.
His mom kept giving him, counsels, saying:
–Janjão, don’t do this, you may get in trouble!
–Janjão, get off of there, you might fall and get hurt!
–Janjão, attention with this knife, my son. It’s very sharp!
Janjão kept doing what he was doing, pretending to be hard of hearing.
One day, Janjão and Pedrinho, his best friend, were bored. They had played hide-and-seek, marbles, catch-handle, etc., and they didn’t know what to do anymore.
Janjão had a bright idea:
– Got it! Let’s make a balloon!
– A balloon? –Pedrinho asked, surprised. – Isn’t that dangerous?
– Yep, a balloon. And it’s not dangerous, you fool. Go and buy paper and glue.
— Me? Why me? It was your idea! – Pedrinho replied.
— Ok. I’m going, then.
They worked all afternoon long in a small room at the back of Pedrinho’s house. They knew his mom would be busy working and would never notice.
After getting it ready, they anxiously waited for the night to come. After all, to be fun, balloons need to fly at night.
They lighted the balloon and were expecting it to go up.
They kept blowing the balloon... blowing... blowing until it started to go up slowly.
The boys got carried away. In a little while, the beautiful coloured balloon was going up... up... up to the sky, higher and higher. Soon, it was only a luminous point as if it were a star. Then, it was hidden behind some tall trees and the boys could keep track of it no more.
From the coloured balloon only the memories remained. They still talked a bit more about it, excited, the beautiful balloon!
Janjão, remembering it was already late and his parents could be worried, said good-bye and went home.
He lived in a ranch and needed to walk a little through the field to get home. In the horizon, saw an immense clarity in the sky. As he kept walking he realized the fire came from his house.
As he got near, he saw his house on fire, all his furniture, and people running towards the house with buckets of water, trying to beat the fire. His dad, worried, walking back and forth, and his mom and sister crying. He asked, upset:
– What happened, daddy?
– Oh! My son! Thanks God you’re all right. We were worried about you. We even thought you could be in there with the fire. Some flew balloons and, when we realized it, fire was everywhere already, as you can see. Some friends helped and we managed to save some things, thanks God.
The boy, sorry, realizing the action he had just made, started sobbing:
– Forgive me dad. That’s my entire fault. I was the one flying the balloon, but I could never imagine it would be so dangerous.
His dad sighed, understanding of his son’s grief, while telling him, bluntly:
– You see, my son? To be disobedient, all the harm you just did? Thanks God, we only had material losses, and even though we are poor, we will make do with what we have and make up for this setback. But, what if someone got hurt?
Janjão wept like a baby.
– Forgive me, daddy. Now I understand the harm I did and, when mom says it’s dangerous, it’s because she knows what might happen.
His father hugged him and from this day on Janjão became a different boy, more responsible, and even started working to help his dad make up for the damages he unexpectedly had done.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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In a clearing in the forest, lived a family of squirrels that lived in peace and harmony.
The small family was made up of the father Squirrel, mother Squirrel and a couple of very obedient kids. They all respected each other, because among them there was understanding and friendship.
While father Squirrel left to provide for their family, mother Squirrel stayed at home taking care of the kids and chores.
One day, mother Squirrel found out she would be a mother once again. Everybody got really happy. After all, kids were grown up and they missed babies at home.
After a little while, the family increased. It was a beautiful baby!
The baby was growing up fast and becoming more demanding. The small family lived for him, making all his wishes.
But not all could be done! And each time his mother reprimanded him, he would get rebellious and unhappy.
As time goes by, he started to think that no one loved him. They were always yelling at him: “Don’t do this, Little Squirrel! Don’t do that! Organize your things! “One day, tired of everything, feeling sad, he went away decided to live freely in the forest. His mother always warned him about the hazards he would find, but he never cared. His father would never allow him to go into the jungle alone worried about his safety. But now, he was free and didn’t need to obey anyone.
— Phew! Finally I’ll lead the life I always wanted. I’m old enough to take care of myself! — He thought.
He walked around in the forest, satisfied.
Little by little was getting dark and Little Squirrel was yet to find shelter. The sounds of the jungle were scary and he wanted to be beside his mother, always so kind.
Bu t now he was lost. And he couldn’t come back. And, on top of everything, he was really hungry!
Darkness was growing bigger and bigger and scarier too.
Tired of walking, Little Squirrel stopped at a big tree and fell asleep after weeping a lot.
Early in the morning, he woke up with the sound of the trees. Someone was coming. He got up quickly. Maybe it was someone who could help him!
It was a huge and menacing wolf!
When o lobo growled, widening his teeth dangerously, Little Squirrel left in a hurry.
Realizing he was away from danger, he stopped to rest.
— Phew! That was close! — He said, relieved.
At this moment, he heard a strange noise, as if it were rattling. He looked at the floor and he saw a big snake ready to attack.
Scared, he ran away as fast as he could.
With his heart beating fast and wheezing, he stopped at a tree. His legs were shaking! He leant towards it to recover his breathe, when he heard different hum.
What could it be? He looked up and realized he almost touched in a swarm of bees. And they looked really angry!
Gathering his strength, he ran away again trying to escape from the swarm that was coming in his direction.
Looking back, he didn’t see a creek in front of him. He fell into it, getting all wet.
Fortunately, the bees went away and Little Squirrel could leave the water calmly.
Looking around, he recognized the place. Yes! He was near home!
More confident, he took a small trail and in few moments he got to the clearing where he resided.
Everybody got happy and relieved with his return hugging and kissing him several times.
Feeling better, after eating again, Little Squirrel told his mother:
— You know, mom, I realized that nowhere is like our home! I thought you didn’t love me, because you kept reprimanding me. Now, I know you act like this because you love me. I had some rough times, feeling cold and lonely. Only here, with you guys, I feel safe and peaceful.
And his mom, with tears in her eyes, said:
— That’s true, my son. There is nothing like our family. But, you were never alone. God was always with you and brought you safely again.
And Little Squirrel, nodding his head, said:
— Thank you, Lord, for the wonderful family You gave me!
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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On a very pleasant farm, lived a chicken called Petita.
Usually, Petita was moody, complaining about everything and everybody.
The perch was too high; the nest very hard, the corn was tasteless, the worms weren’t soft, and the water wasn’t clean or fresh.
After all, nothing was good for Petita.
The other birds around were always happy, but Petita was in a bad mood since she woke up.
If the rooster sang too early his có-có-ró-có-có, she complained that he wouldn’t let her sleep; if he sang too late to please her, she argued with him because it was time to get up already. When the animals had parties, she complained about the noise; if she wasn’t invited to dance and play with them, she said that everybody had deserted her. So, no one knew what to do to please her.
One day she heard her owner talking to the employee who took care of the animals:
— Tomorrow morning I want you to take Petita and kill her. I want to eat chicken for lunch. And she is fat, ideal to go to the pan.
The chicken, which was around, heard it. They wanted to eat her!
And Petita started feeling the hardship that she was about to suffer.
That evening, Petita couldn’t sleep. And when, finally, shut her eyes, exhausted, she had an eventful dream. She dreamed that the employee ran after her and grabbed her violently; she felt inside of boiling water, and then someone took off her feather, until the last one. She was well spiced, and she would be put into fire, when she woke up, sweating.
Poor Petita cried... cried a lot. Who could help her? Nobody liked her! She was sure they would get very happy with her suffering and no one would miss her.
The sun came out and Petita bemoaned, remembering she would never more hear the co-có-ró-có-có of the rooster; she wouldn’t lay her eggs in her nest, that now turned out to be warm and cosy; she wouldn’t eat that delicious corn and the tender worms; she wouldn’t talk to anyone, and she realized she would miss that all.
Only then had Petita realized how life was always good and comfortable. How much time she wasted complaining!
— Oh! God! If I could do it again, I’d do it differently — she thought, sobbing.
The employee was about to get her, when a boy appeared.
The boy, started crying out loud, screaming:
— No! I don’t want you to kill Petita! I don’t want you to kill anyone!
And his mother, surprised with her boy’s attitude, replied:
— Oh, come on, my son! Chicken is so good!
— I don’t want, mommy. I’d rather eat potatoes, so no one gets killed.
His mom thought... thought... about her son’s attitude and finally agreed, saying:
— You’re right, darling. We shouldn’t kill anyone. From now on all the animals on this farm will be safe and can live in peace.
Petita breathed, relieved. She was safe! And she owed her life to that boy she considered so nasty, and now he said he liked her!
Satisfied and happy, Petita hugged all in the barn, and they had a great party.
From that day on, Petita got happy and satisfied with life, always grateful for the mercy of God, who gave her another opportunity, through a kid’s hand.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Once upon a time, a little shepherd walked through the fields shepherding his sheep.
He was already tired and hungry when, over the green grass and in the middle of the vegetation, he found a small leather bag. He opened it, and he had a surprise: there were five beautiful gold coins in the bag!
He got carried away! How many things he could do with this money!
Grabbing the shining coins, he yet thought if they would belong to somebody, and this somebody would be definitely desperate.
The desire to keep the coins, though, spoke louder and, calming the conscience down, he put away the little treasure thinking, not so enthusiastic:
— What if I find the person who lost the coins, I give them back. Otherwise, they are mine, since I found them.
And so he was thinking, spent the rest of the day making plans of how he would use the treasure that was suddenly on his hands.
As evening was coming, he took the little sheep back home, decided not to tell his mom, as he feared she would tell him to give the coins back. After all, there weren’t so many houses around, so probably someone in the valley had lost them.
As he got home he learned that his dad needed to go on a trip to make some good business.
After three days his dad was back. He was dismayed and sad, dirty and covered with dust.
His wife, worried, asked what happened, and he replied:
— You won’t believe what happened to me! After the long trip I arrived at my destination. When I was about to make the deal, I noticed I didn’t have the money I needed to pay for the sheep. I searched everywhere, went through my things, but I couldn’t find it. I realized, too late, that the backpack I took had a hole in it, so probably I lost the money on the way. But, how to find it? Certainly someone had already found his money and he would never see his savings again.
And the man concluded, sadly:
— My resources have gone and I had to ask for public charity. I had no shelter, not even food. Thanks god, I made my way up here after long suffering. Despite losing everything I had, you all are still my most precious treasure.
As he said it, he hugged both his son and his wife, nearly crying.
The teenager remembered the treasure he had and got happy. After all, he could do something for his beloved dad.
He rushed to his room and came back with the small leather bag containing the five coins, and smiling, he gave it to his dad, saying:
— Take it, daddy. It’s all yours!
The poor man saw his bag and asked, surprised:
— Where did you find it, my son?
— In the middle of the vegetation, as I was shepherding the sheep.
— That’s true! I wanted to gain some time so I took a shortcut, getting out of the road. Oh, my son! Thanks God, you’ve found it. The Lord is so good! But, how could you tell it was mine?
The boy answered surprised:
— I didn’t know, daddy. I could not even imagine it was yours. I thought it was somebody else’s!
The father suddenly got serious, and grabbing him by the arm, inquired:
— What have you done, my son? You found this treasure that belonged to someone else and decided to keep it? As I was the one who lost it, it could have been any other one here in the valley. Didn’t you think of the desperation, the owner of the coins was feeling?
— No, daddy. I didn’t think of it. Sorry. Only now am I able to see how greedy and ambitious I was.
The little shepherd, sorry, nodded his head, as tears shed.
— Forgive me, daddy. I know I made a mistake and now I understand it.
His dad stroke his hair, saying:
— My son, we got to respect what belongs to others, so they can respect what is ours. Jesus, our Master, taught that we would be held responsible for our acts and we should do to people only what we wanted they do to us. Now think about it: had you lost the coins, what would you like people do to you?
— I’d be very glad if someone gave me back the bag, with the coins, of course!
— So, my son, this is how we should proceed.
The little pastor thanked the lesson he took and promised himself he would never do such thing again.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Carlos was a teenager, age where rebelliousness takes place constantly. He complained about everything and seemed to be always unhappy. He complained about his family, school, food, clothes, home, friends.
In face of that, people started avoiding him, because no one likes moody people.
One day, he was particularly unpleasant. He had argued with his little sister, broke a toy of hers on purpose and hit the dog.
His mother called his attention softly, saying:
— My son, for us to get along well with people, we need to love and respect everyone around us and everything that surrounds us. We all love you, but no one can take your bad temper. What’s going on? You’ve got everything and seems to be always annoyed! Don’t be so mean. There are people far more troubled in the world and they don’t complain as much. Think about it!
Carlos, very angry, and even more annoyed with his mom’s words, mumbled:
— No one understands me here! Everything is my fault!
He crossed the garden to leave; as he was opening the gate, stopped, and saw a young beggar.
Had it been other times, he would have shoved the boy. Despite himself, though, it set him thinking. His mom’s words were still in his ears. He knew she was right. He felt his friends were avoiding him, not getting closer to him; his little sister who used to like him, was now afraid of him.
— I’m starving. Have you got some bread? — asked the boy with a sad look.
The boy’s words touched him. It must be hard to be hungry — he thought.
Moved by the situation, Carlos rushed home and came right after with a glass of milk and a sandwich that he made himself.
While the boy ate, he sat closer to him on the sidewalk, and started talking.
— My name is Carlos. What about yours? — he asked.
— Pedro.
— And where do you live, Pedro? — he asked.
— I live far from here, with some people who invited me to. I have no family — said the little boy, nodding his head, sadly.
As he saw Pedro complaining for not having a family, Carlos replied, bluntly:
— I envy you, Pedro. Having a family is so annoying! The mother especially, who picks on us all the time. I’d love to leave alone!
The boy looked upon and Carlos noticed he was about to cry.
— You have no idea of what it is to live alone, Carlos. Not having a home, a family, a dad, a mom; not having anyone who strokes your hair, instructs you, and even argues with you. Someone to talk to, talk about your problems, your doubts. Someone who, whenever you get sick, give you some medicine and be there for you. You don’t know what it is to live alone. Especially, having no mom.
Carlos noticed he made a mistake, and, ashamed he agreed:
— You are right, Pedro. I don’t know what I was thinking. But, what about the family you have now? Aren’t they any good?
— They are very nice. Look, I haven’t met my father, and when my mom got sick and died, this family came to my help. So, I don’t want to be ungrateful, I owe much to them. Despite being extremely poor, they were there when I needed the most. But it’s not the same thing. I miss “my mom”, you see?
— I see.
In that moment Carlos felt the importance of having a family, of having a mom. His heart was filled with something that blossomed in his inner self and he had never realized before, worried about himself: LOVE.
What the two boys couldn’t tell, though, was that right there Pedro’s mom hugged them, disincarnated.
So Carlos had an idea. So much compassion for Pedro made him invite the boy to come in.
— Come with me. I want you to meet my mom.
So they came. Carlos introduced Pedro to his mom. He was so different, moved, and soon she realized something had happened to him.
— Welcome, Pedro. But, what happened, honey?
— Mommy! I know that Mother’s Day is looming and I am used to giving you something. Would you take any gift at all?
— Of course, sweetheart! But, I don’t need any gifts. I’ve got you!
— But I want to give you a present, mom.
— Whatever it is, I’ll take it, son.
Getting closer to Pedro, who heard the entire conversation, Carlos put his arm on his shoulder, and, visibly moved, said:
— Would you take a new son, mom? So, I’d have another brother!
— But... what about Pedro’s family, darling?
Carlos told his mom the situation, but she was still in doubt, so she asked:
— Pedro, what about these people who live with you? They are your friends! Don’t you think they would be sad without you?
Surprised and at the same time delighted with Carlos, over the moon, he answered:
— No, ma’am. They are indeed my friends, I like them very much and I’ll always be thankful for. They helped me in a time of necessity, when my mother died and I was alone. But I believe for them it would be a relief not have one more person to eat. You know, life’s so difficult!...
— And would you like to live here with us? Well, it seems that Carlinhos didn’t ask your opinion and we need to know what you really want!
The boy smiled, happily:
— I’d absolutely love to have a new family!
Also touched with Pedro’s situation, the mother no longer had doubt. She ran up to them, hugging them, saying to her son:
— Carlos, your father and I have always wanted to adopt another kid, but we feared your reaction. Your dad and sister will be so happy about that.
Then, she looked at Pedro, and said:
— Welcome, my son, to you new home.
And on that day, happiness came back to that house, with the blessing from God.
Carlos became a more understanding boy, happy, because he would no longer think solely about himself, also thinking about the others.
Some days later, united to have lunch, his current family and the former one, they celebrated Mother’s Day all together, as if they were a big family.
Also there, in a state of happiness was Pedro’s mom, who involved everyone with love and joy.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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On that block lived a different boy.
Netinho was born mentally-challenged and could not speak or think properly. He would be sitting at the gate, silently, because he liked to look at the street and see the kids playing.
And, as he was different, many kids would mock him, mistreat him, even throwing stones at him. The ones who did it frequently were André, Tiago, Pedro and Alfredo.
Sometimes, hit by a stone, Netinho would run inside, crying. His mom hugged him carefully, looked at the boys and said:
— Why do you keep doing that to my son? What has he done to you guys?!...
One day, Dona Júlia, Pedro’s mom, passing by saw the group of boys bothering Netinho. Stuck on the corner, with his arms covering his head, he cried, scared.
The lady came up to him, full of compassion, hugged the boy, talked to him, and took him inside, delivering him to his mother.
After that she came back and, not criticizing the boys, invited them for a glass of juice in her house. They accepted the invitation happily, surprised for not being told off.
As she prepared the juice, Pedro’s mom gave them some toys: a guitar, a small K7 player, a miniature piano, some games and many other things.
When she returned with the glasses of juice, asked smiling:
— So, having fun?
The boys complained, disappointed:
— We can’t play! Everything seems to be broken! The guitar has no strings — said Tiago.
— And the K7 player is useless. There are no batteries! — André said.
— The piano is off-key and there are some buttons missing! — Alfredo mumbled.
And Pedro, outraged, burst out:
— That’s enough, mom! You know these toys have had it. The games are silly and the electrical train is broken... Nothing works!
Dona Júlia and sat down, staring at the boys, agreed:
— That’s true. You guys are right. These toys no longer work. But, fortunately, the toys don’t work properly, not you all. You should be grateful to God for that.
A bit confused, the boys asked:
— How come?
Calmly, Dona Júlia explained:
— All of you were born perfect! You have no difficult in thinking and study all right, because your brains are perfect. And your body also works properly; your senses seem to be okay as well: you hear, speak, feel and see perfectly. You all have hands and feet and walk normally. Isn’t it great?
The kids agreed, satisfied. Pedro’s mom went on:
— What if one of you was born blind? Or armless? Or legless, you couldn’t walk?
— Ah! That’d be dreadful! I don’t even want to think! — one of the boys said.
Dona Júlia agreed, and kept talking:
— That’s it. But there are people not as happy as you all are. They were born challenged either in their minds of bodies, like a broken toy. Do you know anyone like this?
The boys remembered the kid they bothered so much.
— Just like Netinho, right? — someone asked.
— Exactly. Netinho was born mentally-challenged and that’s why he can’t express himself like the others do. He, as a spirit, is as smart as you, but he can’t make his “apparatus”, which is his body, work properly. Did you understand?
— So it means he understands everything around him? — Pedro asked.
— Definitely. He just can’t make the others know that and suffers a lot. Netinho deserves all our due respect and care. If the Lord is fair and good, and knows what the best is for us, and made Netinho be born with this condition, it is because his impairment will be useful for his progress.
She, then, concluded:
— Jesus said that “we should do to others what we would like to be done with us”. So, had you been in Netinho’s boots, how would you like to be treated?
The boys, meditating on what they had heard, got ashamed, having now realized how rude they had been to Netinho, each one reflecting that could have been “him” to be born with the same problem.
On the following day, there was a great change. Having regretted, the boys apologized to Netinho for all they had done. They started talking to him, calling him up to play and accepting him as a friend.
Satisfied and smiling, Netinho took part in everything, learning the games and showing that his difficulties were not that big.
This way, Netinho became a great companion for everybody.
The Spiritist Doctrine talks about the responsibility of parents in relation to children, Spirits sent by God, believing in their capacities of tutoring.
Especially the mother, whose presence is invaluable to the son, has a large role in the development of this spirit, through ethic and moral orientation, according to the Gospel left by Jesus.
In the home, first school of the soul, we can find all the fundamental content to the growth and maturing of the child, especially by having their parents as role models, preparing him for, in the future, to be a loyal citizen and useful to society, knowing how to respect and love his fellows as brothers.
To the mothers, on her very day, our best and most sincere wishes.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Antonio lived with his family in a little village on the shore and his dad, Pedro, was a fisherman.
Those were hard days. They would make a living of fishing and the fish had apparently gone.
Antonio’s mom worked a lot, doing all the housework and also helping preparing the fish to be sold.
They always had the staple, even though they were poor. Now, however, hunger was around the corner.
During many days, his father would set sail, but his boat returned empty.
With great dismay was the fisherman living and he no longer had the desire to go fishing.
Food was scarce in his home, because there was no money, and Pedro was worried about his family being hungry.
One day, and old lady knocked on his door begging for food.
— I’m starving — she said with a hoarse voice. — For God’s sake, help me!
Pedro, mad and nervous with the hardship he was going through answered bluntly:
— How come, help you? We can barely support ourselves! I Just can’t.
Little Antonio, touched by the situation of the old lady, replied:
— But, daddy, she is asking in the name of God! Mommy told me that Jesus said we should do to others what we would like people do to us. Had we been in her situation, wouldn’t you like to be treated with a bit of respect?
Antonio’s mom, with a generous heart and willing to help the old lady, agreed:
— Our son is right, Pedro. Besides, it’s only food, anyway! We still have it and Jesus would be pleased with us.
Pedro finally gave in.
It was dinner time and, carefully, Antonio’s mom welcomed the beggar home.
They sat at the table and shared what they had, friendly.
On the following morning the boy woke up and saw his father home.
— Weren’t you supposed to be fishing? — asked the little boy.
— There’s no point. The fish have gone — answered the fisherman, dismayed.
Antonio, with his bright eyes. said:
— I believe in Jesus, daddy. He would never walk out on us. Let’s go to the sea and I’ll help you out with the fishing. In God we trust and I’m sure we’ll get it.
Motivated by the boy’s words, Pedro dressed up quickly and they set sail.
Pedro threw his net, and for his surprise, it was full of fish. And so in the second and third times.
They went home happy. Pedro was over the moon.
— Thank you, my son. We had a great fishing and peace is back at our home, at last.
He hugged the boy and said, with tears in his eyes:
— Were it not for your faith in God, we would never get it. It’s the story Jesus taught us that “if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, then nothing shall be impossible unto you”. But how come you were so sure we would succeed this time?
— Because I learned, from Jesus, that whenever we help somebody, we are also helped! — replied Antonio logically.
Pedro stared at his son for a while, his eyes in tears, thanking God the lessons he had on this unforgettable day, taught by his child.
From this Day on, Pedro trusted God and, having known the old lady was homeless, invited her to live with them.
Aunt Célia
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Source: O Consolador – Weekly Spiritist Magazine
Translation: FELIPE DARELLA - felipe.darella@gmail.com
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Anne is a girl who tends to spread joy and optimism in every place she goes. However, Anne was sad and worried in the last days: her aunt Val, whom she loves, was very ill.
Val has been in hospital for several days and her entire family was taking care of her as well as praying that she was healed.
But one night, while Anne was asleep, she was visited by the sick aunt. Val explained to her beloved niece that the time she had planned to stay on earth was ending. She had fulfilled the mission that she had been proposed for in this incarnation. The two relatives hugged and Anne was able to say to her aunt how much she loved her and that she would be missed. Her aunt then disappeared, leaving in the memory of the girl her gentle way and contagious joy.
On the next day, Anne found out that her aunt visited other family members in Spirit on that night to say goodbye to them.
Val’s funeral was a moment of great sadness for the whole family, but Anne knew that there was only the physical body of her aunt, because the Spirit never dies. She and her mother cried a lot; they were sad and missed Val. They found consolation in the explanations received from Spiritist Teachings, where they learned that God is wise and fair. They also learned that we should trust Him, because nothing happens by chance.
They talked a lot about death in the weeks that followed. They also recalled the teachings received by Anne at spiritist education classes. The girl reminded her mother that Aunt Val would meet them in dreams, sometimes. Besides, they would meet again in the Spirit World in the future because the bonds of affection didn’t end with the death of the body.
The mother, despite the pain, was happy to see that the lessons learned by her daughter in the Spiritist Group were important at that moment. That was certainly the toughest moment in the little girl's life. It was Anne who comforted her mother. Together, mother and daughter prayed a lot, which helped Val in the Spirit World.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
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Annie walked staring at everything intently. She needed to find a mineral to take to school on the next day. But the teacher had not given any clue of what was a mineral, nor where to find it.
She thought of mineral water; those that come in bottles. She thought of asking her mother to buy a bottle so she could do her homework, or take a mineral. (Show a bottle of mineral water to the children)
When she got home, Annie was soon asking her mother what was a mineral, and if she knew where to find it.
The mother smiled and said:
- God created the minerals. Mineral is something made of a material that has no life. Plants and animals have life, but not the minerals. I know many minerals! And you too!
Annie thought its best not to disagree with the mother, who continued:
- There are minerals scattered throughout the nature! Stone is a mineral. We find stones in the bottom of the rivers, underground, in the pavement of the streets and sidewalks, in the mountains... The salt we use in our food is also a mineral. You used a mineral at school today. Did you know that?
Annie remained mute. The mother explained:
- Graphite pencil is a mineral. Minerals are very important for life on Earth. The oil that gives rise to the gasoline that drives the cars, cooking gas and coal that your father used to cook barbecue yesterday are minerals also.
Her mother paused briefly and said, pointing to her daughter:
- I see you are wearing a mineral!
Annie looked at herself quickly. She looked and looked but found no mineral. She had learned many things in few minutes about minerals, but found no minerals in herself...
- The ring that your grandmother gave you is made of gold. Silver, gold, diamonds and iron are also minerals. As she spoke, the mother pointed to the silver necklace with a stone that Annie wore.
Annie was happy to know what minerals were and see that there were so many of them in nature and in their home. She thought about which mineral she would take to her class on the other day: her ring? The salt in the kitchen? A rock from the garden? She didn’t know, but surely knew how to identify them.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
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The day of the Olympics of the Insects finally came!
Early on we noticed the movement of several insects: they were organizing some of the last minute preparations, while others came for the races.
The tests are carried out in the woods and everyone loves to attend. The first race of the day was jumping: cricket, flea and louse competed. There are two types of jump: long jump – whoever leaps as far from the take-off point as possible, and high jump - which jumps the highest. It was a great contest! In the end, the louse has won the high jump and the flea was the winner in the long jump.
The mosquito, the bee, the butterfly and the fly competed on the test to see who flies faster. Who won? The mosquito!
In the Olympics there is also a very important exam called the Prize for Organization. Here the jury insects, who are very stringent, visit the homes of the contestants to see which is the most organized and functional house. In this year, the bees signed up with their hive and the ants with their anthill. The result was a draw between the too, as both houses were working very neatly. The queen of the hive and the queen of the colony gained a beautiful trophy each.
The ant, the beetle and the cockroach competed in weight lifting. The ant, who was able to lift a heavier leaf, won the medal.
The butterfly, the ladybug and the bee competed for the most beautiful animal contest. The parade was wonderful. Every one of them was looking beautiful in their party dresses, but the butterfly was named the winner, with its colorful wings.
The silkworm was the winner in the art crafts’ contest. At the end of the race, the competitors embraced all the other insects. They were all good friends.
The Olympics were a success! The champion of the race for the most beautiful speech was the cricket, which said that all insects are created by God. He said they are animals that have no bones that create many important things in nature, such as honey that is made by bees. In addition, they make nature a more beautiful place.
All insects have learned that it is good to compete, and there must be respect for those who win and those who loose. When the games ended, a photo was taken with all the beautiful contestants that will be exposed in the forest until the next Olympics, in four years.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
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On a rainy afternoon, the twins Agnes and James were fighting again. Aunt Beatrice now knew the reason: they refused to lend their toys to each other.
The aunt couldn’t contain herself, when she watched them fighting:
- I have a pretty cool idea! Let’s put all of your toys at the top of your own bed. Now, place the toys that belong to both of you on the floor. I can help!
Their room soon became a huge mess, but their aunt was sure that was a good idea. Agnes and James started to take from the closet and from the chest of toys games they haven’t played for a long time! Some of them they didn’t even remember they had!
- Look at this puzzle – Agnes said, while starring at all pieces scattered on the carpet.
- I want to help set it up! - And soon the two brothers were playing together.
They also found some cars that James had lost and was never able to find. They were in the bed’s drawer, behind some comic books he had forgotten where he had stored.
Aunt Beatrice helped Agnes to arrange her dolls, which were many. She placed them side by side and said:
- Wow! I have so many dolls!
Meanwhile, James was counting how many cars he had. There were so many!
- Can I help? - The aunt asked.
- Girls don’t play with cars! - James said quickly.
- They do play! – His sister challenged him. Don’t Mom and Aunt Beatrice drive by any chance? There is no longer such thing as a toy for a boy and a toy for a girl.
James then left his aunt and sister to play with his toys. A few moments later he asked if he could park a few cars in the garage of the doll house that was placed in the corner of the room.
- Of course you can! – His sister said, smiling.
Some time later, the aunt asked them to tell her how many toys there were in the room. There were so many! Soon they gave up and began to play together again.
The aunt was now getting them to share toys. She wanted them to realize that sharing toys with their friends and siblings was always really cool and fun, and that when everyone plays together, fun is guaranteed!
In the next opportunity she intends to teach her nephews how important it is to donate toys that are no longer used, because other children will love playing with them. She hopes this talk will happen soon, in another afternoon full of jokes...
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
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It was the day of the football match. Lucas got up on that morning feeling full of energy. He wanted to tease everyone who was cheering for the team that was playing against his. He despised anyone who would wear blue, since that was the colour of the ‘enemy’.
Julius was watching his son’s attitudes for some time. He worried about the way he treated people who thought differently from him. This became even clearer in football matches: every person who cheered against his team was of lesser value for Lucas and didn’t deserve his respect. His father tried to warn him that everyone deserves respect and consideration regardless of the team they support, the music they like, the way they dress...
Lucas would reply saying:
- No way, dad! These people who cheer for other teams are weak. – He would then walk out of the room, laughing.
Even when his father showed him famous fans of other teams that were highly educated, intelligent, kind, he did not care. The little football fan continued to bully others around him.
Lucas was so crazy for his team he even went to bed wearing his team’s shirt. Julius then had an idea. He invited the child to reflect:
- Imagine, Lucas, you will wake up tomorrow wearing another team’s shirt.
- What is this, dad? Are you crazy? This would never happen.
- Just imagine. How would you feel?
- Horrible, dad. I would never cheer for another team. That's impossible!
- Well, whenever we demonstrate prejudice against someone, or think differently about someone who has different ideas or choices, we often cause damage to them. It is very probable that in a next reincarnation we will have to be born in the exact condition of the person we discriminated against. For example, many people still have prejudices because of the color of the skin of an individual. If they can’t overcome this problem, learning to respect their fellow creature that has a different origin or skin color, they may be reborn in the midst of that people. This will happen so they learn and fix their mistakes and realize through experience that all people are equal and important.
Were you able to understand? It's like if you woke up the other day with a team shirt that you so despise attached to your body, without being able to take it out. You would then learn to respect the views, tastes and others’ way of life. Until the time comes that you learn to love them.
Lucas didn’t reply. He remained silent and thoughtful. His father's idea was logical. Perhaps now, he would not think that just because the other person supports a different team, he is an inferior being or an enemy. This person is only someone who thinks differently, even if he disagrees. But when he saw James passing in front of his home, he pulled a joke:
- Hey, you. Are you ready to loose?
Lucas then invited him to play in the neighborhood football field, to James’ amazement. He had never done that before with someone who cheered from a different team than his.
Luis Roberto Scholl
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
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Alan and Carl arrived at the Spiritist Centre when the music that precedes the Spiritist Education Classes was just beginning. They both listened carefully to it. Even though they didn’t know the lyrics of the songs, they knew it was an important moment of spiritual attunement. Alan was sad to note that some children weren’t singing and were even hindering their other colleagues from singing; they were saying insults and taunts.
The two soon boys realized they were not alone: other disincarnate children were also there to learn at the spiritist education class. Some of them were accompanied by their mothers, since they intended to reincarnate in the same family.
When the children went to class, these spirits accompanied a group of children. They decided to stay in the corner of the room, paying attention to the class. Other Spirits followed them to attend school also. One of the spiritist teachers began the class with a prayer, but not everyone listened to it. Some of the disincarnate spirits, however, could perceive the positive energy that involved the environment due to that heartfelt prayer.
- Ah! If the incarnate spirits knew the power of a prayer! - Carl thought out loud.
He realized that spiritist teachers love the task they perform. They know they have the opportunity to help, but they also learn a lot about the Spiritist and Jesus’ teachings. Therefore, they prepare the classes with a lot of love and tend to have the help of spiritual friends who are in charge of the task of spiritist education at the Spiritist Center.
The lesson of the day was the guardian angel; also called Protector Spirit. He is the Spirit who accompanies and protects us from before birth; he also gives us the intuition to follow the path of goodness.
The children understood that one can ask the help of a spiritual friend through prayer and that he also represents the goodness of God to his children because he never abandons us.
During class, Alan got a better understanding of the task that Carl would have during his next incarnation: Alan would soon reincarnate; his protector spirit would be Carl. He was a more evolved Spirit than him, who accepted the task of monitoring Alan. They were already friends, and knew that reincarnation is a precious opportunity to grow and learn.
Carl noted that not all children made the most of the class, since three of them talked a lot and played at times when the spiritist teachers were teaching. He thought that perhaps those children aren’t yet aware that we make choices about how we make the most of our time everyday; at every moment. Carl was sad to see that those children, due to their actions, were connecting to disincarnate beings that are our brothers, but are very unhappy. These Spirits still don’t have Jesus in their hearts. They don’t want other children to know more about Jesus and his teachings. These children were making wrong choices due to their spiritual tunings. They were failing to make the most of the opportunity to learn lessons that surely would make a difference in difficult times.
But Alan, Carl and other disincarnate children paid a lot of attention at all times, as well as most of the incarnate children who asked questions and took the time to learn.
The disincarnate children thanked God for the opportunity to learn at the end of class. They also asked for those three children, so that their protector spirits could inspire them to pay attention to the classes. They hope these children won’t have to learn these lessons later through pain, but through the love of spiritist education classes.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
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Esther is a star among hundreds that glow in the night sky. She loves to talk and play with other stars. Some of them are more brilliant than her; some are less.
Esther usually observes from above beautiful places with mountains, flowers, beaches, rivers and cities illuminated by the lights of buildings and streets. She has fun watching people walk by rushing through starry nights.
But our friend Esther would like to shine as the Moon does! She wanted to be important and unique, like the moon that surrounds our planet Earth.
One day, Esther was complaining to some of her star friends that she would like to shine more, just like the moon. She added, soon afterwards:
- Don’t you think the Moon is weird? There are nights that it is round (showing a full moon), sometimes you hardly see it (show the new moon)... Then there are those days that it seems that it smiled at us (show the crescent moon), and others it turns her back to us and doesn’t wish us good night (Waning moon)!
The other stars have agreed. Only one of the stars disagreed and said:
- You should get to know the Moon better; don’t speak badly about her. Just as we have the function to beautify the nights, the Moon also has its tasks. One of the tasks is the phase change. It sometimes appears to be large, sometimes small, to brighten the nights. On full moon nights, people and animals can see far distance, just with the light coming from the moon.
Esther understood that each creature in the nature has its function. She felt ashamed of the things she said about the Moon. She even shined less in that night...
Some days later, she took the courage and approached the Moon. She struck up a conversation and the two became friends. Nowadays, they usually spend the nights playing and having long and fun conversations.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
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- I wanted to kill Thais!
Adriana looked at the boy; she couldn’t believe in her ears. As the teen repeated the phrase even louder, she said:
- Why do you want to kill your sister?
James was quick to respond. He explained that he didn’t want his sister to exist, because he felt living with her was "hell". He finished by saying it would be great to be an only child...
His aunt heard her nephew’s ideas with care and thought to herself that she should explain a few things to him:
- Did you know that we choose the family we are born in? We choose our parents and siblings? Did you also know that our family helps us learn lessons that are necessary to us in each reincarnation?
- I can’t have chosen to live with me someone I don’t like! - The teenager shouted.
- I didn’t say you liked her. I said you chose to be reborn next to her, perhaps to learn to live with your sister...
She continued talking, as the boy was still sat in the same place, looking at her:
- Our actions are like a ball that we throw against the wall: it always comes back to us! Everything good or bad that we do comes back to us sooner or later.
Her aunt then asked James to come a bit closer, saying that she would tell him a secret. She then whispered:
- Do you know what the best way to get rid of someone you dislike is? His aunt paused briefly... You turn that person into someone you like; that is, you start liking that person!
- It’s impossible! - The teenager said. She also hates me.
- So let's do a test! - The aunt didn’t easily give up... You will make a huge effort not to fight with her for one week! Treat her like one of your friends; one that you like the best!
- It won’t work ... I won’t be able to... She is always provoking me!
- But you'll make an effort and your motto will be: do to her what you would like her to do to you! Don’t yell at her, don’t cause fights, and don’t play with her toys. How about that?
James finally agreed, thinking it was odd. His aunt also had the same conversation with Thais, who also agreed to strive to treat her older brother as she would like to be treated. But James wasn’t aware of that.
In the beginning of the week it was difficult for her because changes in attitudes always require effort and determination. Adriana collaborated with her nephews, sending text messages to their phones with little hints of how they could live in harmony and respect. "Praise something she did," "Now let him have the remote control", and remember the slogan "Do to him what you would want him do to you". These were some of the ideas submitted by Adriana to them that helped the brothers to be friendly to one another.
At the end of a week, the environment was already much better: there were fewer fights, screams and provocations. It wasn’t necessary anymore to talk with Auntie Adriana to realize that controlling the words said; stop the teasing and making small gestures of respect, kindness and friendship, would considerably help their relationship.
They still had many things to learn together. Therefore, mutual respect and willingness to change are very important steps. The world would be better if more people practiced Jesus’ teachings: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
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Once, in a beautiful spring morning, I woke up feeling a little bit closer to God. I was raised in a beautiful place, where the singing of the birds; the beauty of the forests were my constant companions. Every dawn, a new day awaited me; bathing in streams, were very refreshing. Today, I grew up and I feel like telling one of the many stories that I recall from my childhood.
- There lived in a wonderful site a beautiful seven year old child. She was very smart and cheerful. One day Catherine decided to play with her cousins, who were spending the weekend at her home. They went to a huge tree where they could see in the distance. Liam, an 8 year boy who was very undisciplined but afraid of climbing trees, had an idea that was readily accepted by the others. Rather than climb trees, they would enter into the woods and explore nature. There they went; they didn’t think about anything else and entered into woods. They suddenly realized it was quite late and didn’t know their way back to Catherine’s home. Fear took hold of them. The boy then had another idea: they asked Father in Heaven for help. They then prayed together.
When they began to pray, a light began to clear around them, protecting and guiding them. They finished the prayer and began to walk. It was such a surprise to find out they managed to find their way back home! They learned they would never do these types of adventures again alone.
Maria Aparecida Melo da Silva - Juiz de Fora/MG
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
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- Why can’t we remember other incarnations?
This question was asked by Christiana at the end of the spiritist education class. Everyone had left already. This made the spiritist teacher happy, as it revealed that the girl was reflecting on the spiritist teachings.
- Because we don’t want the past to hurt us now - Angela explained. The past has passed. We must now make efforts to do goodness in the present, so we have a better future. He continued:
- Have you ever done something wrong, even unintentionally, and offended someone? The girl nodded. Didn’t you feel that you and your friend should forget what happened? To do differently next time?
Christiana agreed.
- Well, forgetting the past gives us another chance. This reveals the wisdom and goodness of God. Have you ever wondered that if we remembered we hurt someone close to us? Or if that friend we loved so much, betrayed our friendship in another life? Would we be friends in the same way?
Christiana was still paying attention.
- But it would be cool if I remembered the good things ... What if I've been rich and powerful? I wanted to remember it...
- Would this memory benefit you today in some way? Or what if you thought you were better than others? You could rebel, wanting to be rich and powerful, as in the other existence... Do you think it’s possible only to remember the good things and forget the bad ones? Aren’t they all interconnected? Think about it and answer me next time.
The spiritist teacher’s technique of letting the teenagers think, without giving the answers, made them use their reasoning, valuing the learning.
The teenager had started studying the Spiritist Teachings recently. She thought on her way home about the question the teacher asked. As soon as she got home, she went to tell her mother what she had learned in the classroom:
- Mom, did you know that I chose my parents?
The mother, who wasn’t a spiritist, paid close attention. She was learning many things with her daughter:
- I chose my family. I chose my mother, my father and my brothers. And you chose me too. Isn’t it cool?
Gloria's daughter smiled and continued.
- It's for people to learn to love, Mom. Everyone has reincarnated several times and evolved together, developing good feelings.
Her mom then asked:
- So why don’t we remember other incarnations?
- Mom, the past has passed. We must now strive to live the present doing as much goodness as possible. She then told her mother everything she had learned from the spiritist teacher at the end of the class. How nice it is to multiply the spiritist knowledge...
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
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Marcela was a very kind and polite girl at school and with her friends. However, her attitudes were different at home: she shouted with everyone, complaining about everything and she didn’t seem to know the magic words thank you, excuse me, please and sorry.
One day, she had a huge fight with one of her sisters. She shouted a lot and decided to lock herself in her room. One hour later, she received the following message in her phone:
What a horrible behavior, Marcela! You should be ashamed to have shouted so much...
She wasn’t feeling embarrassed about it and felt that the message was sent by mistake, but she realized the message had her name written on it; so she thought it was a joke. She ignored it, since she didn’t recognize the number that sent the message.
On the next day, at lunchtime, she was rude to her mother. She left the table without finishing lunch and complaining about the food.
Half an hour later, she had a new message on her phone:
God is observing your attitudes through his messengers, Marcela.
Was that a threat? - The girl thought. Who would have the courage to send something like that? She decided to call back the number listed to ask for explanations, but the phone was disconnected. She tried several times without success.
On the next day, she asked her father for a new pair of trainers. Since she didn’t get what she wanted, she hit her bedroom door saying,
- Oh, no! Nobody does what I want in this house!
Some time later a new message was received in her phone:
Who has Jesus in the heart should not behave like that.
Marcela was offended. She promised herself not to look at the messages received from that number. She thought for a long time in who could be the sender. She thought it was one of her sisters, but, though she tried, she could not discover the author of the messages.
Marcela was still a rude girl at home and kind to those who were not of her family. Therefore, in the days that followed, she received several other messages, which made her think about her behavior and suggested changes.
To get angry is the best way to loose - one of them said.
She tried not to look at the messages, but she was so curious about it. She hoped to discover the author of the messages, who always kept the phone switched off so he/she wasn’t found. She received messages like this:
Use kindness, but especially inside your house. Try to treat your family the same way you treat visitors.
Time passed and the messages continued coming. When she had some nice attitude towards a family member, Marcela was happy with the loving messages of encouragement that were sent to her:
Well done! Jesus should be happy with your attitude!
She was being closely followed by one of her sisters, who bought a phone specifically to help Marcela. She was now becoming gentle and polite at home, with her family members. She never found out who sent her the messages, but managed to understand that each one’s attitudes are important to bring peace and harmony to the family.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
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- I will not lie again!
When she heard that phrase uttered by her seven year old daughter Tatiana, Antonia smiled. She spent a few minutes remembering that she learned to speak the truth in a very painful way...
When Antonia was her daughter’s age, she was mistakenly thinking that lying was normal, that people would not find out about it and that it would not have any serious consequences. But she understood that others fail to trust us when we lie because she had to regain her mom’s trust. She once lied that she would go to a friend's house and went cycling instead, to a place that knew her mother would not let her go.
Antonia's mother had to talk with her daughter; so she called the house where she said she would be. As Ana, the house owner, didn’t find Antonia there, she called her friends who knew Antonia. Nobody knew where the girl was. Antonia’s mom was distressed. She called all the neighbors, and even the police to help find her daughter. Antonia was found by the police on an empty field, playing. No explanations given could have justified her lie. She was grounded by her mom. During this time, she began to understand that lying is being dishonest with yourself and with others.
But it took a second and final lesson for Antonia to finally understand that we are responsible for our actions and that lies often have serious consequences. The girl told her mother that she would spend her afternoon at school, studying for an exam that would take place on the following day. But Antonia went out skating instead; she didn’t go to school. She fell from the skateboard and broke her arm. Her mother discovered the lie when she was seeking her daughter in the hospital. Besides having an injured arm, Antonia had to stay two months without using a computer and her skate. Besides, she had to pay from her pocket money for the doctor and hospital fees. She paid it instalments, of course.
- The worst truth is easier to forgive than a lie!
Antonia repeats, with love, the phrase she very often heard from her mother. She knows that Tatiana, sooner or later, will understand that lying is dishonest; it is to steal the truth from someone. She hopes her daughter learns soon that lies always have a short life; preferably without having to give explanations to the police and/or breaking any parts of her body.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
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Meetings in the higher spiritual world always have positive and elevated goals. On that day many children were joined together studying important issues that would impact their next incarnation, which was going to happen soon. The theme was the relationship of humans with their pets.
They saw images of a girl and her cat on a special screen. The girl used to show her pet to friends and sometimes played with the cat. Some images, however, showed that she often forgot her pet’s basic care, such as giving it water, food and affection.
They've also met a boy and his dog Bob, who lived for eight years. The boy used to play with Bob, who was tied to a chain, no matter if it was raining or sunny. But the boy seemed to have little patience with the animal when it didn’t want to play. He also kicked the dog.
All spirits who were there were able to talk about cohabiting with animals. They all said this interaction tends to stimulate love, responsibility and respect for nature and animals.
However, there