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 was a boy named Harold, sitting in the corner of the room, who remained silent. He replied, when asked how many pets he had in his last reincarnation:
- None. I had no pets.
Everyone was admired with his answer. After all, almost every child dreams of having a pet, a companion to play with. But he explained:
- My parents knew that having a pet requires special care, dedication, time to play and a lot of responsibility. As they were attentive parents, they realized very early that I didn’t have the necessary conditions to take care of a dog. That was the animal I wished for. My family travelled a lot and if I had a puppy, he'd be alone most of the time and without proper care. I now realize that they were right. Having a dog for other people to look after wouldn’t be educational, for me and for the others. But in my next life I will want to deserve to have many animals and take care of all of them. I will maybe study to become a veterinarian in order to get to know them better and help many animals...
The disincarnate spirits understood that animals evolve, too. They feel pain, they are happy or scared, and feel lonely. Although they don’t have a continuous thought, they have what we call an intelligent principle. They feel and understand much of what happens around them.
That was a very interesting meeting, enabling those spirits who were preparing to reincarnate to reflect on these issues. The children concluded that animals should be loved and respected; they are also part of God's work. Besides that, they realized that they will only have the merit to have a pet if they care and love it, as well as be responsible for their well being and its evolution. Yes, because animals also evolve and their interaction with humans is an important evolutionary experience for both - humans and animals.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
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Though it seemed like any other classroom, that teacher was different at this one: his name was Socrates and he loved to get teenagers to think.
On that rainy afternoon, Socrates split the class into two groups and gave each group a question. All teenagers were soon talking animatedly.
The group that was located at the right side of the room couldn’t reach a conclusion. The question was: there were many robberies taking place in Mr. X’s neighborhood. He decided to buy a gun to protect him. One night, he heard a noise in the house and found two thieves taking his television. If you were Mr. X, what would you do?
- I would call the police! - One of the teens answered promptly.
- And in the meantime ... - Another teen said, with a sarcastic voice.
- They could come back to steal more - suggested a third.
Several teenagers spoke at once. The teacher then intervened:
- Do we all agree that he shouldn’t use the gun?
- Yes! Yes! - Several said.
- The robbers may hurt him if he doesn’t use it - one girl said.
- Do you think we have the right to do this? - Socrates asked.
Some teens said yes, others said no. Each one had their own arguments. The students discussed for 15 minutes whether it was right or wrong to shoot the robber.
Meanwhile, the other group of teenagers was discussing another issue: a boy left his pair of slippers in the pool, along with several others slippers. When he left the water, he realized that his slippers were gone. His father ordered him to find a solution to the problem, because he couldn’t stay without slippers for the rest of the day. What should he do?
- Take another pair of slippers, like his - one student said promptly.
- No! - The other one answered. He would also be stealing, if he did that.
- But what if the other boy had only made a mistake and decided to come back later? - A colleague recalled.
- But the boy can’t go home without a pair of slippers.
Discussion was also formed in that group.
The teacher listened carefully to each student, but didn’t interfere in the answers. He allowed the students to develop their own opinions by comparing them with those of others, influencing and being influenced by their peers. Socrates knows that hypothetical cases are useful because they have no real urgency to be solved; there are fewer emotions involved in these cases and it is easier to think rationally, to prepare them for a similar situation.
Socrates dreamed of a world in which parents and teachers raised questions about moral dilemmas, allowing children and teens to express their opinions, thinking and developing their sense of ethics and justice.
And you, what would you do in both situations?
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
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That was a different place. There were many large trees, with over one hundred years of age. There were also large and small flowers and plants, of different colors. It was a place where several birds and three dogs lived. The children loved playing in that place they affectionately called Planet, but it was actually a site by the end of the street that looked like a forest. That was a meeting point for the kids: there were swings in the trees, a beautiful orchard and cycling trails.
On a hot summer day, Candice told the sad news to the children playing in that location:
- They will destroy our planet!
At first the other kids didn’t get it right, but then Candice said they planned to do a football field at the place they liked and called Planet. The trees, the colorful flowers and plants would be cut, the birds would be out of nests, and the dogs would have to find another place to live.
The children began to feel agitated! Why would they destroy nature? Where would they play? Everyone was sad and thoughtful: what could they do so nature wasn’t destroyed?
At this moment in time, Augustus gave an idea:
- How about we do a campaign?
They talked about it for a while and decided to try to save their beloved planet. They would make some drawings to distribute in a campaign to preserve nature. Other children would ask their parents to speak with the owner of the greenery and the mayor to stop the nature of that place being destroyed.
They also organized a petition to preserve the trees and flowers; all agreed that on the given day they would embrace the planet, a place they liked.
On the appointed day, the children chose one of the largest trees at the entrance of the green area and gave it a huge hug, together. They took photos, sent it to the City Journal and Candice even gave an interview asking them not to cut down the trees, flowers and plants.
The local population also supported the campaign and the school district dedicated a day to study the nature of the site. On this day, the students visited the planet and photographed all the beauty that was there and made a beautiful display of pictures at school.
The owner gave up the idea of building a football field at that location because of the campaign that was prepared by the children. He found out the location was important for children, even to his two sons who also loved to play in planet when they went to their cousins’ home.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
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(...) It is very true that instinct predominates in the greater number of animals; but do you not see some of them act with a determinate will? This is intelligence, but of narrow range. It is impossible to deny that some animals give evidence of possessing, besides instinct, the power of performing compound acts which denote the will to act in a determinate direction, and according to circumstances. (...)The Spirits' Book by Allan Kardec, question 593
Joseph has been working in a gas station for many years. He works at night shifts at a small town in the countryside.
On a cold night, an abandoned dog appeared at the station. It came towards Joseph, wagging his tail.
The man gave the dog food and attention. He then decided to name it Black Lady. Gradually, the dog was adopted by all employees of the petrol station, and each one took care of it on their own way: talking, eating, joking, and offering the dog clean water… Black Lady became the mascot of that place.
She used to sleep most of the day and followed Joseph everywhere at night. It was he who realized that the dog put on weight every day and would soon have puppies.
The day came Black Lady would have her babies, or rather night. Joseph helped the birth of eleven puppies and all employees of the station helped at the right time, to find a loving home for each of the puppies.
Black Lady had the company and friendship of all who worked at the gas station and even some customers. But her favorite friend was Joseph, who knows that the animals are part of God's creation, our brothers. He offered Black Lady special affection and even made a cover blanked to keep her warm on cold winter nights.
One night, the mascot was following Joseph when suddenly three drunk young guys arrived at the gas station.
- It's a robbery! – They announced.
They were nervous and unbalanced. They beat Joseph, who fell to the ground.
Black Lady then began barking very loudly, as it never did before, and bite the robbers. While the dog threatened the three young men, Jose managed to escape and call for help.
Due to noise, bites and Black Lady’s determination, the young people gave up and left without taking anything.
When Joseph told what happened to his colleagues, Black Lady was considered a heroine. The dog seemed to know it was just a way of giving him back the care she received, though.
To have a pet and to give it affection, attention and basic care such as food, shelter and clean water is to open the doors for God's goodness to manifest in several ways; just as happened with Joseph and Black Lady. Living with animals is an opportunity to develop virtues such as responsibility, respect, affection and mutual love.
Story based on real life events
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
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You must get to know Salty, Taurus and Thai! They are neighbors. Let me explain to you: Salty is a very smart black dog; Thai is his neighbor, a little brown dog who lives with Taurus, an adorable little white dog. All dogs are classified as mongrel dogs, as they are formed from a mixture of various races.
The three dogs lived in the same street, a few meters away from each other. They are very good friends. All residents know that these dogs are good friends and talk about the affection that unites the three animals.
Salty lives a few houses away from Thai and Taurus, but whenever its owner allows it to play in the street, the first thing the dog does is run to the house of the other two friends live, barking at the gate to call them to play. The two others dogs then race to welcome their friend, barking to get out and play. Salty uses his free will that all animals have, choosing the company of friends. It could do whatever it wanted during the time the dog gets out to the street, but it always chooses the company of its friends.
The owners of Thai and Taurus already know about the bonds of affection that unites the three dogs. They allow them to play together in the afternoon. The street is more enlightened with their joy. It’s wonderful to observe the three dogs running, having fun together, because you can see that they adore each other.
But when night falls, they must return home. Salty always tries to sleep at home with its friends in order to prolong their time together. Because the owners love Salty, they don’t let her stay there since the dog needs to rest.
They know that animals also get tired and feel pain. Although they don’t have a continuous thought like humans beings, they think and are intelligent, understanding what happens around them. Animals have an intelligent principle, a perispirit and also reincarnate, since they have an immortal individuality, which progresses toward perfection.
Salty shows us an example of the individuality of the intelligent principle. Animals are also at various stages of evolution: the dog is lovely, friendly to all animals on the street. Salty also gets along well with other animals and people. Frank is a white poodle who lives near Salty’s house that is also visited by the dog. Due to Frank’s physical frailty, it can’t go out and play in the street but is very glad to receive the visit and affection of its friend Salty.
But why do animals suffer? They face physical suffering not to atone for their mistakes, but as evidence, to enable their progress through the awakening of sensations and feelings. They are created by God, just like us. They are our travelling companions, who deserve to be respected and loved by all.
The owners of Salty, Taurus and Thai know that animals think and have their own free will. They also know they are a gift from God to humans. Through living with pets, God allows humans and animals to accelerate their evolution. Hence, they thank the Father for the friendship, affection and respect that bind the three neighbors, serving as an example for all living beings.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
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Michael and John are twin brothers. Although they are physically very similar - only their parents can differentiate from one another - they often have very different attitudes in their day-to-day lives.
Claudia Schmidt
Michael is always complaining and feeling moody, while John is always smiling, at ease with life. Each of the boys got a beautiful bike last Christmas. Michael, however, complained about the color of his bike.
John loves studying and always takes good grades; Michael doesn’t like studying and is always complaining about the exams and teachers. While John has many friends, Michael often feels lonely. John always calls his brother to play with him, but often Michael ends up fighting with the other children.
The two brothers often face problems differently too. Michael complains, finds everything difficult and has trouble understanding the evidence that life presents him. John doesn’t have the habit of complaining and always tries to strive to look at problems as opportunities to learn new things.
One day, the two brothers bought a game to play on the computer and the game didn’t work. Michael was furious and complained about it for several days. John was upset, but then called the seller and asked him to exchange the defective game.
John loves his parents and his brother. He enjoys spending time with his parents to tell them news from school and play football with his father. Michael is ashamed of his parents, especially his mother. She often warns the child about his bad attitudes, trying to make him understand better the Law of Cause and Effect. She also tries to get him to realize complaining doesn’t do any good.
Many wonder why the twin brothers are so different. Spiritist Teachings states that each one of them is a single Spirit in evolution. Both were created by God and have the same goal - perfection. God is fair and wise. All spirits created by Him will reach perfection, in more or less time depending on the efforts employed.
The two brothers probably reincarnated in the same family to help themselves, learning from each others’ mistakes and successes. The road to perfection is individual and depends on the good use that each one makes of his free will, choosing resignation, charity, patience, forgiveness and love.
Michael, however, still didn’t understand that reincarnation is a precious opportunity to learn and overcome difficulties, while John has learned to take advantage of the situations that life presents to him to choose the right path, spreading optimism, joy and hope.
Evolution is the way we all tread. Our daily choices of thoughts, words and actions determine the speed of our path. Spiritist Teachings serves as a light to illuminate the road, helping us to choose based on the law of love taught and exemplified by Jesus.
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
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- I want to be very rich! - Gabriel smiled and added: I want to be rich and never ever have to work!
Claudia Schmidt
The answer took his mother by surprise. She wanted to know more about her son’s answer as it wasn’t what she expected to hear from him. Children in general want to become a doctor, an astronaut or a veterinarian in their childhood, but the boy explained that to be happy one must be very rich, very powerful and tell people what to do.
As a spiritist, Gabriel's mother knows that children are reincarnated spirits who bring their own past experiences from other incarnations. They bring their values and knowledge acquired over the existences they had. But she also knows that childhood is the ideal time to teach children values such as love, charity, respect, work and forgiveness.
She then began to look more closely at Gabriel. She noticed that the games he enjoyed playing the most were related to war and violence. He loved to "kill enemies"! She also paid close attention to what the boy watched on television. She found out that in TV series and movies Gabriel is also cheering for the villain. He thought it was normal to steal, to lie and to deceive people.
His mother Nancy worked all day, but talking to Gabriel’s nanny, she concluded that the boy spent many hours watching television; watching programs that weren’t suitable for his age. She felt then that her son needed help to differentiate the good guy and the bad guy; right from wrong doing.
Miss Nancy determined, with love, a limitation to the amount of time and the type of programs the boy could watch on television. She started talking with Gabriel about the characters and the stories he liked. She also taught him the value of work, asking him to perform small tasks. She was also watching if he was doing these tasks properly.
Besides, she spent more quality time with her son: playing and having fun, reading stories and helping the boy with his schoolwork. She met her son’s best friends. She followed the boys’ play by far, talking to Gabriel about what happened during the day at night before going to bed.
They began to do the Gospel at home practice every week. Stories that always had a good moral lesson were used, helping the spiritual growth of both mother and child. The boy started to attend spiritist education classes; his mother was always checking what the boy learned, reinforcing the lessons during the week.
Over the months, Gabriel stopped cheering for the bad guys and started to think more about what was best for him. He also learned it’s important to work, as we learn positive attitudes, respect for others and many other things work there.
His mother asked him after helping the boy with his homework one night:
- Do you already know what you want to be when you grow up?
- I don’t know yet.... I want to choose a profession where I can help others... - the boy said thoughtfully.
That's when the mother was certain that, no matter what profession he would choose, she was doing her part in bringing a Good Man into the world.
Drawings by Eduarda Scholl - Seara do Mestre Spiritist Group
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Drawings]
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Aunty Lucy loves to tell stories to her nephews. One day she narrated an adventure that left everyone numb and eager to know the end of the tale.
Maria Aparecida Melo da Silva - Juiz de Fora/MG
The story went on like this:
- There was a room in a huge castle where everyone was afraid to enter because it was known as the bedroom of secrets.
A boy named Zach, who was very undisciplined, decided to find out what was behind that door. There he went, full of courage, and entered into the room.
Do you know what he saw there?
He saw a huge mirror, a huge bed and a large chest very near the bed. He then opened the chest and saw that there was a large staircase. Zach then decided to go down the stairs. He got into a lovely flower garden.
He decided to walk through the garden where everything was of a rare beauty. Even the animals had a different look, with lots of light.
He felt quite intrigued and decided to investigate where so much beauty came from. He was walking until he reached a blue lake that reflected all the rays of the sun. As Zach was feeling thirsty, he decided to drink water and ended up sleeping there.
Suddenly, he was awakened by a beautiful melody. When he opened his eyes, he noticed he was surrounded by lots of light, animals and children.
He was delighted watching it all, when a girl named Rose approached him and invited him to go along with the group.
Zach decided to go with them. To his surprise, all the children and the animals began to throw flower petals on the floor. They turned into a beautiful flower carpet as soon as they reached the ground. Zach was admired by everything he saw. He asked his new friend Rose what was that place.
Rose explained that this was the bedroom of secrets. There lived a boy who had so much love in his heart, so much love for nature and people, he built that secret passage. This is now inhabited by beings that had a great loving heart and practice a lot of goodness.
Zach was amazed at all, but had to leave because he was still an incarnate child, so he needed to go back to his world.
But before leaving, he received the mission to transform the hearts of all people, giving them a light of love, wisdom and charity.
And so, my friends, Zach grew up and whenever he could he would look for someone looking to help.
The world was never the same because Zach spread the light of knowledge and many followed him.
My dear nephews, let’s plant the seed within us and make it flourish through our Christians examples. This will enable us to have many followers, turning the Earth into a world of peace, light and harmony among all.
Aunty Lucy’s nephews were delighted with the story and each sought to do its part in building a better world.
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
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Tanya and Kate were at the marketplace, walking through the area where pets are sold. Tanya was euphoric: her mother allowed her to choose a kitten, as a gift.
Claudia Schmidt
Tanya wanted a cat for a long time. There were so many options: spotted, white, black, grey cats… The two girls stood in front of a shop and a beautiful black cat came to meet them. It then began to rub Kate through the grid. When the cat came close to Tanya, the girl jumped up:
- Black Cat, no! It's bad luck!
Kate was quite surprised with her friend’s reaction. She then asked:
- Do you really think the color of the cat can influence the events in your life?
Tanya went quiet. Kate continued:
- Think for a little moment! Would you say that, when you arrive at a place, you step first on your right foot? Would you then say that those individuals who don’t have the right foot are destined to have bad luck for life?
Tanya was still silent. They continued to walk through the market and watch the animals. They really liked the colorful fish that swam in a beautiful aquarium.
- Fish is ok and not a cat, Tanya? Maybe your cat will eat your fish for dinner.
- Oh, don’t say that, Kate. Okay! I'm superstitious so what? The problem is mine!
- I am sure it’s your problem! - Kate said, with a very serious look. It’s not mine! I use my brain and I analyze things before believing them. I know the color of the clothing doesn’t bring luck, money or love. I don’t read horoscopes either!
Tanya read her horoscope every day, before leaving home.
- Imagine if every person born in this season or month of the year will have the same fate! Think for a little while, Tanya!
The girl has gone a bit red now. Kate didn’t know if it was of anger or shame for believing in superstitions without thinking about it.
- If everyone thinks like you do, no black kittens will get a new home ... Our choices are what determine our destiny. When we opt for honesty, happiness, ethics and charity, these choices will bring good events into our lives.
- But thinking of evil attracts evil - Tanya replied.
- And to think and do goodness, brings goodness. It's the Law of Cause and Effect, which the Spiritist Teachings explains to us. This law is part of God’s love, wisdom and justice. Charms or superstitions don’t attract or repel anything. Thought is powerful, because if I think my day will be bad since I saw a black cat; I can convince myself of that and make my day bad. But it will be due to my own choices. The cat’s fur color has nothing to do with it.
- Yeah, I think you're right ... Tanya thought out loud.
- It is time to leave this nonsense aside and assume responsibility for the choices we make. Happiness is our choice and depends on our attitudes.
Despite that talk, it still took some time for Tanya to change her way of thinking. She chose a black kitten as a pet, which was a big step to leave aside the superstitions and start thinking about what to believe as truths.
The beautiful black kitten was named Calvin. It corresponded to the affection received, becoming a great friend and companion of many joys and jokes.
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
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What is the mission of a spirit-protector? "That of a father towards his children-to lead the object of his protection into the right road, to aid him with his counsels, to console him in his afflictions, and to sustain his courage under the trials of his earthly life." Question 491 from The Spirits' Book by Allan Kardec
Claudia Schmidt
- Scared, me? I'm panicking!
Mabel was very anxious about the test that she would be doing in two days. She was now talking to Page, her friend.
- But it’s only a test...
- It's "A" test! The exam to enter to the Orchestra Hall ... and realize my dream of becoming a violinist!
- You are not alone, remember?
- The entire board of examiners will see me! What if I make a mistake? What if I can’t make it? - Mabel couldn’t be optimistic about it.
- You will be with your spirit-protector, your guardian angel ... He'll be with you at this crucial moment, for sure. You have been studying, haven’t you?
- Oh yes, a lot - Mabel replied with a sigh.
- Right, so you're doing your part and should pray to your spirit-protector to help you in these final tests. Ask him to help you have courage, be calm so you can play well at the exam.
- It’s easy to talk, isn’t it? My head is spinning around! - Mabel protested.
- Getting angry won’t help you... Remember we have a spirit-protector who accompanies us since the time we planed our incarnation and throughout our existence. He inspires us, helping and cheering for us to use the opportunities that life offers to learn and evolve. This test is a great opportunity for you!
Mabel's mother had taught her to talk to her Angel in her prayers. But sometimes, it seemed so far away...
- It is we who distance ourselves from him, but if we pray sincerely, we have his company and help - Page seemed to read her friends’ thoughts. I feel he is at my side in difficult times, I can almost see him there with me. I always ask my spirit-protector to sit beside me so he doesn’t let me say silly things in a complicated conversation; or hold my hand when I have a challenge like that day we crossed that bridge that looked like it was about to fall, remember?
Mabel recalled the adventure ... The tour was supposed to be finished by mid-afternoon, but it got dark quite early. The group got lost at the time they were about to return home... Thank God everything ended well. It was just the shock and the story to tell!
Page also noted that through prayer and good attitudes we can reach our spirit-protector. Although we don’t know his name, he belongs to a higher order; that is, this Spirit is a friend who is more evolved and often communicates with us during sleep or by our intuition, giving us good advice.
Mabel began to feel calmer since she realized that God is so kind to send us an invisible friend to be with us and inspire us to the path of goodness. The advices she received on that evening also served in many other situations in the child's life, in which she felt and asked the help of her Guardian Angel.
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
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Jader is a very nice and polite green alligator. He is always very friendly with the other animals in the forest. Jader lives with Kathy, his mother alligator. They live in a cottage near a beautiful pond. She loves her baby alligator and always teaches him very nice things, such as the importance of eating well and doing exercises.
Amália Moscon
The alligator, however, had a serious imperfection: he was very lazy and didn’t want to move. Every day, when Jader came home from school, he spent the rest of the day lying in the sun doing nothing.
At the end of each day, alligators tend to gather around the pond to cool off and talk. Some complain about the damage that humans have made in nature, polluting the rivers and forests; others talk about the progress of their children in school. Everyone gets to know the things that happen in the forest.
Kathy usually talks to her friends about Jader. She wants him to awaken the desire to move and exercise; after all, Jader is a beautiful alligator with legs and arms that require movement to grow strong and healthy. His mother knows that alligators need to be agile, swift and cunning to escape from the animals that want to eat them as well as to seek their own food.
Jader wouldn’t go to the lake not even to take a bath! He expected the rain to bathe. Jade said to his mom when she talked about the importance of moving the body:
- No, mom! I can not smudge my beautiful green body! If I go to the lake I will get brown and ugly.
- A good bath would do you very well - said the mother wisely. You could swim and play with your friends in the pond.
But Jader didn’t mind being alone at home, although he knew that his friends used to go walking to the other side of the forest to hear the beautiful stories that Frog Darnels told.
One day, Jader was lying in the sun in front of his house, like he normally does. He fell fast asleep. The alligator didn’t realise a huge storm was about to arise. Soon there were lightning and strong winds heard throughout the forest.
Jader only woke up when the winds toppled a tree right where he was lying. The tree caught his leg and now he couldn’t move!
He felt tremendous pain and started calling for his mother.
- Help! Help! I can’t move! Mom! Where are you? Help!
Jade now realized he couldn’t move because he wasn’t used to exercising, and so his body was heavy and not very agile. He remembered his mother’s advice about the importance of moving our body to be healthy and to be able to move fast when needed. Once the storm passed, Kathy asked her boss to go home to see how her child was. The mother alligator was working in the factory of the forest. She then ran as fast as she could because she was very worried about Jader.
Once she got close to home, Cathy could hear Jader crying softly. The tree had broken the leg of the alligator. It made him unable to move for a long time and feel a lot of pain.
Jader had to stay in bed for over a month until his leg would get well. In that time, he began thinking a lot about how important are the movements we make with our body.
As soon as Jader was feeling good, he started going out to play with friends at the pool every afternoon. He ran and played, always very cheerful and happy. He now realizes the value of his physical body. He looks after it with lots of exercises and movements.
Jader even joined the swim team at school. He was training a lot. Over time, he won some medals, to his mother’s delight.
[Click here] to see the drawings made by Cristina Chaves, 3rd cycle, Spiritist Society Casa do Caminho, Porto Alegre/RS.
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
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In a certain region lived a little shepherd boy who spent his time looking after his sheep.
By morning, he would take them to the field where the sheep had abundant vegetation to eat and chilled water to drink. In the afternoon, they returned happily to the corral. The shepherd came back every day feeling tired but satisfied.
One day, however, he began to feel tired of this task. He wanted to do something different and better. He wasn’t looking after the sheep the way as he used to. When one of them walked away from the others, he wouldn’t hurry to bring it back. He let them free and to themselves, while he sat in the shade of a tree dreaming of a life change.
One day a hungry wolf approached the site. As the sheep were alone, the animal attacked the helpless sheep. The shepherd was sleeping at that time and didn’t see what was going on. He actually forgot to accomplish the task of looking after the animals.
The sheep began to make a lot of noise. The shepherd boy woke up and realized the danger near by. He played his horn, a horn that was used to ask for help when needed, or just to communicate remotely with another pastor. His father soon came running together with some farm employees. The wolf then ran away hastily.
But one of the little lambs had been struck and vanished in blood on the floor, all injured.
His father carried it very carefully home. He nursed its wounds with all affection. The shepherd regretted his behaviour and cried, seeing his sheep suffering because of him.
His father called him and said, with a severe tone of voice:
— You don’t deserve my trust. I gave you the task of taking care of my sheep. You were careless and unvigilant. If you weren’t distracted, you would have perceived the danger in time to avoid it. You would have asked for help promptly. A helpless little animal now suffers because of your lack of attention. This sheep might even lose its life. I entrusted you with the tasks of looking after these animals.
The shepherd answered with his head down:
- I know you're right, my father. I agree I made a mistake. But please give me another chance! I promise to be more careful and vigilant in my obligations. I will take care of the sheep you trust me with.
His father agreed and blessed him. He knew that his son learned his lesson. He gave him another opportunity to prove that he had changed his behaviour.
The lamb, under the care of the little shepherd, soon was healed and ran happily through the fields with the other sheep. It was now being followed by the watchful eyes of the boy.
This also happens to us. Many times God, Our Father, confidently gives us the blessing to accomplish a task. We don’t perform it well, due to our own negligence.
The Lord gives the necessary resources for our progress at our disposal. We become unvigilant due to laziness and lack of awareness, indifferent to the divine opportunity that is given us. We often harm other creatures with our irresponsibility.
God, therefore, is a Loving Father. We always receive new opportunities to start over where we left from.
If we ask for help through prayer, God will surely come to us in times of difficulty.
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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Once upon a time, there was a seed that came from a tree and fell into the ground. One day, the wind started blowing hard and dragged it away...
Auntie Célia
The seed was now feeling quite lonely. It was located in a strange environment, away from where it had always lived. It was far from the tree it came from… The little seed was confident that life would change, though. One morning, it looked up and saw heavy clouds gathering in the sky. It soon realized it would rain.
The wind began to blow. It rained, leading to the formation to a small stream.
The seed was terrified. It was dragged by the flood for a long time... until it realized it stopped somewhere. The mud involved the little seed. There it was, hidden in the dark, covered by soil.
The little seed felt very sad, as it couldn’t see anything. It was alone and unable to leave that place where no light came through. It didn’t like the darkness, nor the humidity, or the soil that kept it stuck, preventing it from seeing the sun.
The little seed never lost hope of a better future, though. It trusted the Creator didn’t create her in vain.
The seed felt life pulsing from within: Toc toc toc ... ... ... It was its heart beating.
But what was the use of having a heart to feel alive, if it couldn’t do much? After all, the little was buried under the ground.
The seed was now in tears, praying with great faith:
- Help me, Lord. I want a different life. I want to do something useful and good! Don’t leave me helpless.
The seed eventually settled, tired of crying. It then slept huddled to the ground.
One day, the little seed woke up. It slept for a long time and was now feeling quite awake.
It took a deep breath and stretched. It then realised two delicate buds emerged from its body.
It began to push, stretch... It stretched more and more... and managed to break through the soil!
A beautiful gorgeous spectacle unfolded before its eyes: blue sky, green trees and flowers that existed nearby, birds, and especially the sun that was warming its body.
A few days later, the little seed was now a beautiful strong plant. It was now full of small twigs and green leaves.
It soon became a beautiful bush. It wasn’t long until it got transformed into a small tree trunk with small branches.
It soon discovered it became an Apple Tree!
The Apple Tree wondered how its life had changed. Birds came to perch in its branches, small animals were housed under the top of the tree, people protected themselves under its shadow, kids climbed into its branches and, at the right time, picked up sweet and tasty apples from it. Even the worms in the soil were benefited. They enjoyed eating the fruits that fell on the floor.
The Apple Tree welcomed everyone, glad to be helpful. It was now happy and fulfilled.
Its heart is big and generous, full of gratitude. The tree knew how much it owed to the soil that sheltered the seed for so long, the water that kept it alive, the heat and the sun that gave the seed the opportunities to grow and develop.
It now understood that, without the difficulties it had gone through, the Apple Tree couldn’t have become a beautiful tree.
The tree thanked God for creating it, knowing it needed to go through that process of learning to grow and accomplish the tasks it needed to fulfil.
The apple tree felt important; it no longer considered itself to be useless.
The tasks might be small, but made the tree feel very happy for being useful.
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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One day, a long time ago, the animals that lived in a big forest learned that a group of men sought to knock down all the trees to turn them into wood.
Auntie Célia
The animals felt scared, because that would mean their destruction too. They decided to send a message asking for help to a group of friendly people who were also nature lovers.
The animals gathered together to decide who would be the bearer of the message, because it was a very important mission. The place where the messenger would have to go was too far away.
Four animals showed up and said they could do the task: a bird, a squirrel, a monkey and a turtle.
- I am the best for the task - the bird said, puffing his chest - I can fly quite quickly and give them the message.
The squirrel stroked its soft fur and spoke with pride:
- I am in a better condition to accomplish the mission, because I am quick and agile!
The monkey, scratching his head, said:
- No! I am the most suitable one because I can arrive earlier at the final destination. I will be jumping from branch to branch and get there really quickly.
Everyone laughed when the little turtle said it wanted to be the messenger. After all, the animals had urgency to have the message delivered. The turtle was known to be very slow.
The lion asked, after the animals stopped laughing:
- Why do you think you qualify to be the messenger?
- Because I trust God I will make it! - The turtle replied calmly.
After much discussion, the animals wisely decided all four of them would each carry the same message for safety reasons. Whoever arrived at the final destination first, would have the honor of delivering it.
On a beautiful sunny morning, the messengers left carrying the hopes and the trust of all animals.
The squirrel left the forest, running quite quickly; the bird opened its wings and flew fast across the sky. The monkey disappeared from the animals’ sight, jumping from tree to tree. The poor turtle was the only one that began its journey with a very slow speed, ridiculed by the others.
They faced dangers and obstacles. The monkey had to continue his journey by land, as soon as there were no more trees for him to jump to.
At one point, the road was a big landslide. The squirrel and the monkey were hit by it and couldn’t continue their journey.
The bird flew without difficulties. The turtle, on the other hand, saw the danger. It calmly hid in its shell waiting for it to pass.
Later a terrible storm came. The little bird, despite clinging to trees to protect itself, was dragged by the wind. The turtle, however, stopped its journey again. It hided in its shell from the fury of the storm, hoping the weather would improve. It then continued the journey.
Due to the heavy rains, the region was totally flooded. The brave turtle didn’t give up. It guarded the letter very well so it didn’t get wet. It continued the journey swimming.
The turtle arrived at its destination after overcoming enormous difficulties, dangers and unexpected difficult obstacles. It then learned, quite surprisingly, it was the first to arrive!
The turtle felt proud and happy because it was greeted by everyone at the final destination. It came home with friends who would protect them and prevent the forest destruction.
The turtle arrived at the forest full of glory, for the astonishment of the other animals. They could never imagine the little turtle would fulfill such an important mission.
The animals then realized that all creatures deserve respect and consideration, and that all are able to win. Many times the creatures that seem to have the best conditions to win might not be those who make use of the best opportunities they have.
They then asked the turtle what she attributed her victory to.
- I believe that without patience, persistence, courage and a lot of faith, I couldn’t have won – the turtle replied.
He concluded with ease:
- THIS IS THE ONLY WAY WE WILL ALL WIN!
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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She was born big and strong. Since newborn, the whale was already much larger than the other inhabitants who lived deep into the ocean. After all, it was a whale. A beautiful blue whale! His friends called him flabby. The whale couldn’t play and have fun like all other sea creatures because of its size.
Auntie Célia
Over time, it could only play with the other whales. It began to develop a huge disdain for other creatures, whether fish, molluscs or shellfish.
The blue whale began to consider others to be small and insignificant. It was now full of pride for its size and beauty. The whale would say to the other sea creatures when they approached wanting to play or just talk:
- Can’t you see? Look at my size and look at yours! Go and find other creatures. I am busy now to talk to you.
Many sea creatures ran away from it for fear of being crushed by the blue whale. It then began to believe to be invincible and self-sufficient. It claimed, confident and full of pride:
- I am strong and powerful. I don’t need anybody.
One day, however, it went strolling with her mom, but decided to go on a different direction. The blue whale was delighted to see the beauty of some corals. It ended up getting lost from the rest of the group.
That region was absolutely unknown to the baby blue whale.
It didn’t worry. The blue whale was strong and knew how to defend itself. There wasn’t one single living creature in the see that could beat it up. The whale was also confident it would be able to find the way home. It was only a matter of time. It wasn’t afraid of anything, with its intelligence and strength.
The whale travelled vast distances without knowing which way it was going to. The whale then suddenly began to feel tired. It came closer to a beach and got stuck on a sandbank. The whale tried to get away from it but couldn’t. It then began to plead for help:
- Help! Help! I'm stuck and can’t get out! Help! Please!
The beach was desert; hardly anyone passed by those areas.
The poor animal had now spent many hours away from the water, under the sun. It felt increasingly weak after that time, feeling exhausted from fighting for its life.
Nobody answered its prayers. The poor blue whale thought that was going to be the end of its life. It would die there, helpless and far from its family.
She cried a lot. The blue whale soon realized that it wasn’t as self-sufficient as it always believed to be. The huge body of the blue whale, it was always so proud of, was precisely the reason why it was on the sandbar.
The blue baby whale said, with tears in the eyes:
- Ah! If I were small as the other fish I wouldn’t be in this situation now.
The whale meditated a lot. The animal decided that if it managed to survive from that incident, it would become a different whale. It would never despise anyone anymore. The whale would stop being so proud and become friends with every sea creature.
A boy walked on that beach, a few hours later. He saw the blue whale and shouted in delight:
- A blue whale! It seems to be stuck, the poor thing. I'll get help.
If it was another time, the blue whale wouldn’t believe such small creature could be of some use. It was different now, however. The whale thanked God for sending that young child to help it.
After some time, the boy returned with his father and other people. They worked together and managed to free the whale, which happily disappeared in the waters.
Some time later, the whale found its mother. Mother whale was very worried, looking for her baby whale everywhere. Phew! What a relief!
On that day, a great party took place in the sea. The fish were quite surprised for being invited by the blue whale to that party. Furthermore, the sea creatures were received with care and attention by the beautiful blue whale, which changed from that day onwards.
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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Fernando came from a very deprived background. He often did little jobs to help his family.
Auntie Célia
He has a very good heart. He is always a very cheerful and helpful person, who loved sharing everything he had with others.
One day, he got home early because he was only able to get a few coins from the jobs he did.
It was almost night time. He passed in front of a beautiful sweetshop, stood and watched the candies displayed there.
He heard a deep sigh coming from his left side. He turned and saw a little girl, eyes wide open, staring at a huge piece of cake with chocolate icing.
The girl looked like she was hungry. He felt quite touched by her look and said:
- Are you hungry?
She nodded, without taking her eyes away from the cake.
Fernando reached into his pocket and checked if he had enough money.
He was also feeling hungry, but his mom would be certainly at home waiting with a plate of food for him to eat. He wasn’t sure if that little girl’s family had the same resources as his.
He actually wanted to buy something for himself with the money that he had, but the little girl seemed so hungry!
He then decided. He got into the bakery and paid for the cake. He then offered it to the little girl, who was smilling to him.
The girl’s look of joy was enough to reward him.
He felt so happy he decided to head back to his home. He saw the lights of a funfair near his house...
The music, lights and people attracted his attention.
He loved funfairs, especially the carousel... It has wooden horses going up and down when running at the sound of a song....
He stood by the carousel and watched it. He wanted to ride that carousel so much! Unfortunately, he had no more coins.
The ticket price was the same as he spent buying a piece of cake for the little girl. If he hadn’t bought the cake, he would have the money to go round the carousel.
He then remembered the girl’s happy face. He dismissed that selfish thought in his head straight away.
"Never mind" - he thought - "Mom always told me that whatever we do to others, God will give us double. My money was well spent."
He then saw a very well-dressed boy standing beside him. He was eating an ice cream. Seeing friends look at the carousel, said:
- Do you want to ride on that horse?
- Yes, I do but I have no money - he said.
The boy handed him two tickets saying, indifferent:
- Here.
- But I have nothing to pay! - Fernando stammered.
- It doesn’t matter. I am tired of these toys. My father owns this park and I always get these tickets.
Fernando stared at the tickets and thanked the other boy. He then said to himself, with tears in his eyes:
- My mother was right. I knew that God would reward me, but I didn’t expect it to be so fast.
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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Jean was an eight year of old girl who was used to going through challenges in life.
She never got to know her father. Her mom abandoned her when she was four years old.
One of her neighbors felt pity of her and decided to take her home. Despite all the difficulties of her life, Jean was never felt angry or revolted. Her heart was loving and good. She believed in God and was sure he would not leave her helpless as she once heard someone teach.
One day she was walking around the city and saw a man getting closer to her. He was quite well-dressed. He passed by the little girl and decided to give her a present.
She thanked him and said God will be blessing him and his family. On the following day, he found the girl in the same place. She smiled and he decided to give her another present.
- God bless you. I pray you will always have everything.
He felt quite impressed with her loving and hoping attitude. He could not forget the girl's face all day.
On the next morning, there she was in the same place. The girl approached him with a flower in her hand, smiling.
- It's yours. I brought this for you.
Manoel felt quite surprised; he felt the need to stop and talk to her.
- How are you called, little girl? – he asked.
- Jean.
- How old are you, Jean?
- I think I am eight or nine, sir. I'm not sure.
- Don’t you go to school? - He asked.
- No, I don’t. I could never study, despite having a strong desire to learn to read and write.
- Where do you live, Jean? – he asked, feeling quite impressed.
- I live with my friend and her children.
- Why? Don’t have a family?
- My mother went away when I was very small. I have only a father.
- Who's your father? - He wondered.
The girl replied seriously.
- God.
- God? Is this the name of your father? - He asked, thinking he hasn’t got it right.
- Yes, God is the Father of everyone! - She replied with simplicity.
- Ah! It's true.
- Then He won’t let me miss anything. I have everything I need. I have a roof to shelter me from rain and cold. When I am hungry, I get food from my neighbour, who is very kind to me. I sometimes feel I would love to have my own family but I am very happy with what God has given me.
Manuel felt quite moved by the child’s statement:
- What else would you like to have, Jean?
- Nothing. I don’t need anything.
- Just say it to me, please. I wish I could help - Manuel insisted.
The girl thought for a little while and, with tearful eyes, said softly:
- I wish I had a real family.
Manuel felt his heart tight and tears came flooding into his eyes. He felt guilty. He was wealthy; he had everything. He had a big house, a good job and had no children. He lived with his wife and just never thought of helping people. That child was asking so little of life!
He took a resolution. His wife had always wanted children and would like it.
He stared at the girl before her, and said:
- Everything will be different now, Jean. God, despite giving you everything, as you said, has instructed me to be your father on earth. Would you accept it? In addition to having a father, you would also have a mother.
Jean jumped into Manuel’s arms, full of joy. She couldn’t believe in such happiness.
- Did God send you? I accept it! I knew he wouldn’t fail to answer to my prayers. - she explained. - I always asked Father in Heaven to give me a real father here on earth.
Jean then remembered the neighbour who, even though couldn’t give her love and care, still let her stay in her house for the last few months:
- Oh ... What about my friend and her children? I can’t abandon them! I want to work to help them.
- You won’t abandon them, Jean. As my daughter, you will be able to help them. I have money.
The girl clapped with joy.
- Good! Good!
Manuel looked at her with great affection. She held his hand and asked:
- Can I call you daddy?
Our love and best wishes to all parents in the world.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
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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Tom was a nine year old boy who made his parents feel quite concerned about him.
Auntie Célia
He went to school but didn’t like studying and found it difficult to follow the class.
His parents felt quite concerned about his future. They tried in every way to make Tom more interested in other things than playing.
As time passed, the boy's parents became increasingly anxious. They had tried everything possible.
They tried to awaken his interest in music, but it was a disaster. Tom had no patience for playing piano; he thought the exercises where quite monotonous. He got angry playing guitar. He managed to tear the ropes of the instrument. Violin? No way. He didn’t like playing drums because it’s too noisy. He came to the conclusion he had no talent for music, leaving his teachers discouraged.
- Since you are not inclined to music, son, perhaps you will enjoy something else? Painting, for example? It's fascinating! Let’s have a look at some of the great masters of painting.
- Okay. I'll try.
Unfortunately, Tom couldn’t cope with using the brush or mixing colors. He got bored and soon gave up.
- If you don’t like studying, music or painting, maybe you will be interested in a sport? You could perhaps play football! – her mom said.
- No way. I enjoy watching games, but not running after a ball.
- Well, then perhaps you will enjoy athletics games?
- Running, jumping ... none of this suits me.
- Tennis?
- No way.
- Perhaps volleyball?
- I'm not tall enough.
- Swimming?
- I enjoy going for a swim, but only to cool off my body from the sun heat.
- Basketball?
- Not for me.
They tried all types of sport. Nothing seemed to suit him.
His parents got increasingly worried. Tom was now fifteen years old. He was now becoming a tall, skinny boy who hadn’t yet discovered anything that interested him.
They tried to get him into computers but he only used it to have fun with games.
Tom's mother became increasingly anxious, but his father insisted on saying:
- Calm down, dear. All people have ability or tendency for something. Our son is no different. He will eventually discover what he likes.
- Really? I've asked God to enlighten our son! - Mama said quite concerned.
One day, Tom was walking in a park. He sat at the edge of the lake and began to think. That situation wasn’t too pleasant for him either. He wanted to do something but didn’t know what. He remembered God at that moment and prayed fervently pleading for help and protection. He felt worthless and with no life goals. He lowered his head and wept sorely.
He felt more reassured. Tom suddenly looked around and saw a piece of wood nearby. He felt an urge to get his hands on it. He turned it around, playing close attention to that object. It looked so interesting! He seemed to see an image of a bird with wings in that timber. Tom then grabbed a knife that he always carried in his pocket and started working on it.
He managed to carve head, eyes and wings. He then shaped legs and feet.
Tom didn’t see the time passing by. He felt ecstatic in front of a small sculpture when he finished. It was something created by him.
He then ran home. He wanted to tell the news to his parents. He showed the sculpture to them.
- Look! Dad, you were right. We all have ignored potentials and skills. I found out that my hands are good for something. I can also be useful and creative.
- But when did you learn to carve wood? – His father asked, puzzled.
- I don’t know. It seems to me that I have learned before and I'm just remembering!
His parents felt amazed and joyful with his discovery. Tom finally had found a reason to live!
From that day on, Tom had his eyes wide open. Everything he saw, he began to see what he could make, modify, transform, sculpt.
He became a great artist. His works were much sought after and his expositions were fairly crowded. He became known in Brazil and overseas, but never ceased being simple.
He now had a goal. He wants to help children, passing his knowledge and teaching we can only be happy when we work with love, doing what we like.
He always thanked God, who had helped him when he most needed. God showed him the path he should pursue.
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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Tom was a boy who had everything. There was nothing missing in his life.
Auntie Célia
He had loving parents, a comfortable house, nice clothes and studied at a good school.
But Tom was a boy who could only see the negative side of life. He was always looking for the downside in people and things.
If a friend came close to him after taking a shower with clean clothes, he would look at his feed to find something to criticize: - Your shoes are so ugly!
The food at his home was always made with love and care by his mother, who was anxious to please him. He would try and wrinkle his nose, saying:
— This isn’t good! It’s too salty!
His mother felt sad, but there was nothing she could do. She tried to make him change his behavior, teaching that everything has its good side and it’s necessary to see life through a different perspective.
Therefore, Tony never changed. He seemed to be getting worse and worse everyday.
Nobody liked him. His schoolmates shunned his presence, fearing his criticism. He became increasingly lonely and grumpy with that.
His mom was really concerned about him. She prayed to Jesus, asking him to help her son change. What would happen to him in the future, if he kept like this? Life would be too difficult for him to bear.
One day, however, he was playing in the yard. He run through under a tree and didn’t see a twig. He bumped into it with violence. He immediately felt a terrible pain in his eyes. He couldn’t open his eyelids and had tears in his eyes too.
His mother took him to the doctor. He looked at Tom, calmed his mother’s fears by saying:
- Thank God it was nothing serious. His eyes were slightly scratched by the tree branch. However, he needs to rest and be blindfolded.
The doctor put an ointment and a bandage on each eye. His vision was completely blocked. The doctor then recommended:
- Come back in two days.
Tom left the doctor's office complaining.
- Don’t complain, my son. Thank God, because you could have been blind – his mom said patiently.
Those two days were a torment for the boy. He wept, complained, tapped his foot on the floor, made a tantrum, but ended up accepting it. After all, the doctor said that if he wanted to heal, he would have to be blindfolded.
He then learned to walk around the house, but bumping into furniture. He was already able to tell if the sun was out or not by his body heat. He smelled the flowers, felt the wind and everything that he didn’t care much about before.
At the end of those two days, he was more relaxed and pleased. He returned to the doctor at the right time.
He felt quite emotional when leaving the office, after having removed the bandages. He was so happy to see the streets again, the people walking, cars in traffic, the sky, the trees ...
Tom even cried with happiness.
His mother pulled his hand, saying to him:
- Come quickly, my son. See how ugly the weather is. I think it will rain soon!
Tony looked up, staring at the sky full of dark clouds and smiled:
- I don’t think the sky looks ugly, Mom. I even think it’s quite cute! See the beautiful rainbow that appeared among the clouds! It seems it’s greeting me and saying, "Welcome to life, Tony!".
His mother looked surprised. She noticed the change that happened to him. Tom then said:
- You know, Mom, these two days have made me see things differently. The fact that I couldn’t see, that everything was awful dark, made me value what surrounds me. More than that... I now understand that before, even having a perfect vision, I saw less than when I was blind. I now understand why you kept trying to make me change my behavior. I see now that everything is beautiful in nature, people; in the things that surround us.
Her mother sighed and looked to the sky. She thanked Jesus intimately for the lesson her son received.
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]
Once there was man who was a carpenter. He had managed to work with wood in an extraordinary way. He was a true master at this craft. His work was admired by everyone. This man had a dream.
Auntie Célia
He wished to carve an image of Jesus in natural size into wood; he loved Jesus dearly.
The man talked to a friend about the dream he had. His friend encouraged him by saying:
- So why don’t you start it? I am sure the sculpture will be a masterpiece, with the talent and skill you have!
The carpenter then replied:
- Oh, my friend! The work must be perfect. I haven’t yet decided which wood I will use.
He was always in doubt. Time passed by for the craftsman. into the wood. One timber was not suitable for him because it was too stiff; the other because it wasn’t tough enough and another was soft and easy to handle, but the colour didn’t please him.
So time went by and the carpenter didn’t complete his artwork.
A few years later he met with the friend again. He had just returned to town and decided to ask the man about the work.
- I decided the type of wood that I will work with. However, I haven’t yet started because I'm not feeling 100%. I think I need to be ok with myself and the world to be able to carve the figure of the Master. Customers demand a lot of my attention. I often get irritated and loose patience. Besides, I can’t stop working at my carpentry because I need to earn a living for my family. I can only devote myself to my dream during my spare time. Even then, I feel tired and sleepy most of the time, but I do intend to begin my masterpiece soon – he said, trying to look enthusiastic.
Some time later, they got together once again. The carpenter argued, once asked by the friend who showed interest in the issue:
- Unfortunately, I haven’t yet started the work. My family requires a lot of my attention and my children require my care. You can understand that; they are still small and dependent. But when they grow up a little more, I can work peacefully.
And so time passed by. Many years later, his friend decided to meet the carpenter again once visiting the city. He met him; he was now old and sick.
The visitor asked, after greeting each other and exchange news:
- So? I'm anxious to see the work that you wanted to do so much. Surely your artwork must be superb!
The craftsman’s eyes looked quite faded… He said, with an infinite sadness in his voice:
- Oh, my friend! Unfortunately, I have never even been able to start the work that represented the dream of a lifetime. The difficulties were too big and the need to provide for my family absorbed me. I am now sick and helpless. My eyes are weak and I can’t see as much as before. My hands are trembling; I can no longer work.
His friend felt sad to see the carpenter pull out a tissue and dry a tear, full of regret and bitterness.
- It's late, my friend. I had all the right conditions and failed to make it. I missed the opportunity the Lord has given me.
The visitor tried to cheer him up and said:
- Who knows? Do not feel discouraged; perhaps it’s still possible.
The carpenter looked at his friend, showing that he understood the full extent of his uselessness and blindness. He then replied, feeling quite convinced:
- Not now; only if in another existence!
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 once a chicken that was never satisfied with anything. It lived at odds with the world and didn’t forgive the slightest offense, even if unintentional.
Auntie Célia
It spent its time complaining about life and criticizing everything that was made by the others animals in the farm. No one would get away without receiving criticism from this chicken.
If a duckling got hurt, the chicken would immediately say:
- You deserve it! Why would Mrs. Duck let its babies loose?
If a puppy was stung by a bee because it placed its nose in the trunk of a tree, it would immediately say:
- You got what you deserved! Why is the puppy sticking its nose where it shouldn’t?
If a kitten unwittingly spilled the bowl of milk, she would say:
- This is what happens when you don’t receive good education! You end up becoming quite clumsy!
She would criticize all the animals of the farmyard. Besides, if anyone offended the chicken, would never get its forgiveness.
One day, she was organizing her hen house and didn’t see that one of the baby chicks disappeared.
When the chicken realized the little chick went missing, it got terrified and began crying out for him:
- Chicky! Chicky! Where are you?
Chicky disappeared. The chicken asked her neighbor Lady Owl, but nothing.
Nobody knew anything where the chick was.
Everyone was concerned about Chicky. Ms. Cow suddenly remembered seeing it across the pasture on the way to the creek.
The animals ran and felt quite surprised and delighted with the scene they saw.
The baby chick had fallen into the water. Chicky was struggling as it didn’t know how to swim. It got stuck in some plants on the other side of the creek which, although narrow, was impossible to reach.
The duckling, who was excellent swimmer, had already tried in vain to rescue the little chick. The duck was very weak unfortunately; not able to fulfill the task.
The puppy and the kitten had an idea. The puppy, which was the strongest, would hang on a tree branch beside the stream and hold one of the kitten's paws at the same time. The kitten then stretched ... stretched ... stretched until reaching Chicky by the neck. Once Chicky was pulled tightly, it would be free from the branches that held him.
It was such a massive relief! Chicky was soon was in the arms of his Mother Hen, who was feeling relieved.
- Thank God! I don’t know how to thank you all for the help you gave me! – The chicken said, with tears in the eyes.
She thought for a little while and said, feeling a little bit embarrassed:
- I've always been so intolerant with all of you! But, I will never criticize anyone anymore. You never know when we'll also need the help and forgiveness of others. Today, due to my lack of attention, my son almost lost his life. Instead of censuring me, you helped me. I want you to forgive me for all I have done already, as I hope God will forgive me too.
From this day forward, Mrs. Hen has become a good creature; patient, tolerant and understanding towards the faults of others and never criticizing anyone.
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 walking down the street, thinking...
Auntie Célia
She was upset because she wanted a new dress she had seen in a store and couldn’t afford.
She asked her mother for it. She insisted, begged, but the answer was always the same:
- No, my daughter. We have no money now. Maybe another time?
The girl put her foot down, demanding:
- No. I want it now! That dress will no longer be available in the store later on. And it's beautiful, Mom. I want it so much!
- You won’t have it, Laura. I'm currently short of money and can’t spend what I have to fulfil your wish.
The girl cried, threw a tantrum, stamped her foot angrily, shouting in disagreement - but I want it!
Despite all Laura’s pressure, her mother didn’t give up. She stood still. Laura spoke to her father, thinking it would be easier to get the dress from him. She approached him coyly as she always did when she wanted something. She sat on his lap and asked:
- Daddy, can I buy a dress I saw at the store? It's beautiful!
However, the response she got from his was the same one: No. Laura went to her room weeping, but had to accept it because her parents wouldn’t change their minds.
A few days later, Laura woke up with fever. Her mom Isabella was very caring and concerned about her child. She didn’t let her daughter go to school, forcing her to stay in bed.
As fever didn’t diminish, her mother took Laura to the doctor. She was beginning to have pneumonia.
The girl was in bed for more than a week, taking drugs. She was claiming she not able to leave the house and go to school.
- Will I get better soon, mama? - She asked. – Our school party is getting closer and closer. I do not want to miss it!
- Let's see. It depends on you, my daughter. If you take the right medicine, rest at home in bed, who knows?
That was a very long week for Laura. Although distraught, she had to obey. She played checkers with friends, watched television, and, when alone, read a lot.
She wasn’t a child who read much but now was reading books that spoke of things that are really important in our life and we should value, such as family, health and education.
At the same time, Laura couldn’t help noticing her parents were spending a lot on her. They had to pay the medical consultation, medicines and even buy better food to enable her to recover.
She felt quite concerned and then decided to ask her mother:
- Mom, you said that you had no money but is now having to spend so much on me! Where did you get money?
- Health, my daughter, is very important to us. We will always find a way. It is different from buying a dress; it is not necessary and we can live without it.
A week later, the girl was different; much calmer and more serene.
There came the day of the school party.
Laura was now fully recovered. She got up and went to the party, happy to meet with her colleagues and friends.
She looked at her mother, smiling and said:
- You know, Mom, I learned a lot in those days. I learned that some things are really important such as health, for example. I was angry because you couldn’t buy that new outfit that I wanted so much, but now I can’t even remember it!
Looking at a colleague who was holding fireworks, she explained:
- I learned that there are things in life that are like fireworks: after burned, there isn’t anything left over. They are beautiful, bright, colourful, but just for a moment. They do not last.
She then stopped talking, looked at her mother with affection and gratitude, adding:
- But love lasts forever.
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]
Gustav, who was an eleven year old boy, took a book from the shelf and began reading through it. His dad was amused reading his daily newspaper. The boy suddenly stopped and asked his father:
Auntie Célia
- Daddy, what is free will?
His father put the paper to one side and took off his glasses:
- Free will, my son, is the capacity that human beings have to make their own decisions; make their own choices. Did you get it?
- No.
His father replied, with patience:
- Let me give you an example, Gustav. Tomorrow is Saturday and you have football training in the afternoon. Will you go?
- I don’t know, Dad. I also have an invitation to attend a birthday party, at the same time.
- I know... It’s George’s Birthday, your childhood friend. So, what will you decide to do? Are you going to football game or going to the party?
- I'm not going to George’s party, Dad. I think I'm going to the training.
- Oh, so you've already decided?
The boy thought for a moment and replied:
- Football is a commitment I took earlier this year and I shouldn’t miss. The team needs me. But then again, Dad, if I'm not going to his birthday, George will be upset with me.
- So, are you going to your friend's birthday?
Gustav scratched his head, feeling quite confused. He then said:
- Oh, there is another problem. Next week our team has an important game. It will be part of the championship between the schools. Oh My God! I do not know what to do!
The father smiled and said:
- Free will is exactly that, my son. You have to decide between two or more options. At this point in time, you'll have to decide between: pleasure or duty.
- I now understand, Dad. But it is very difficult to take decisions!
The father agreed with him. He also advised Gustav to think a lot until the next day to avoid making a wrong decision.
- My son, free will is a gift from God, but also a conquest from the spirit in the evolutionary path he conducted. So, we need to think carefully before making any decision. Be it right or wrong, we'll always be conditioned to the consequences of our actions, according to the Law of Action and Reaction, or Law of Cause and Effect.
As it was quite late in the evening, they went to sleep.
On the next day, Gustav was sitting at the table eating breakfast in the morning when his father asked:
- So, my son? What did you decide?
- I thought a lot and still haven’t decided. I will decide by this afternoon.
It was almost time to leave. Gustav came to the living room with his bag and a gift-wrapped package in his hand.
- I see you have decided on the birthday party, Gustav. You decided to go for the pleasurable activity - his father said.
The boy shook his head.
- No? Then you are going to training session. You decided to fulfil your duty.
Gustav shook his head again:
- Neither, Daddy.
- I do not understand!
- A third option has appeared, Dad. I remembered we have a maths’ test on Monday. So, I will study with a colleague who understands the subject quite well. But before that, I will go to George’s house to congratulate him and give him the gift I bought for him. Thus, pleasure and duty will also be met.
His father was quite surprised and delighted. His son Gustav, who he thought was a little sloppy with his tasks, had shown it was thoughtful and responsible, making decisions with skill.
He got up and stretched his arms to the boy:
- Congratulations, son. You were able to decide between pleasure and duty. But tell me something… What about your training? The team has a big match next week ...
The boy explained, embracing his dad with a huge smile on his face:
- Yes, Daddy. However, I learned earlier today the game will be postponed. So I had no doubts. I'm calm now; I am sure I made the best decision.
Gustav said farewell to his parents and grabbed his backpack full of books. He then waved one last time and shut their home front door.
His father was happy. He felt great for having a child who had used his free will in such a responsible way.
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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Carina used to play all the time with her neighbour, Hugo. He was a nice boy, but very mischievous.
Auntie Célia
One day, Hugo was angry because Carina refused to play hide and seek with him, preferring the company of another girl friend.
The girls were playing house when the boy angrily came, grabbed Carina’s doll and ran with it. The girl abandoned her friend and ran after him. When she was able to reach him, her doll was destroyed: arms to one side, legs to the other and the beautiful clothes were torn apart.
Carina took the remains of her favourite doll and ran home in tears.
- What happened to my daughter? - Her mother asked when she saw her screaming.
Carina told her mom what happened, sobbing:
– I will never play with Hugo anymore. I never want to see him again. I will never forgive him, mom.
Her took her daughter in her arms with great affection, consoling her.
- I know you are suffering, dear, but it will pass. He likes you and was jealous. That’s why he reacted in that way. You are good friends! You will soon be friends again.
She then claimed, quite confidently:
- Never, Mom. Hugo is no longer my friend.
- Carina, we can buy another doll, my daughter. But a friendship is priceless. Someday you'll understand this – her mom said, calmly.
The lady decided to remain silent as she realised, however, that at that moment there was no point saying anything else, because her daughter was feeling very hurt.
Two days later, Charlie was sad and dismayed. Alone, had no desire to play, once he had lost his good friend. Noticing her grief, her mother suggested:
- Carina, why don’t make peace with Hugo? He already came looking for you and you wouldn’t play or talk to him.
- I can’t, Mom.
Her mother was preparing lunch. She then stopped and said:
- My daughter, how about you get Hugo a new ball? He'll like it very much.
- Oh, Mom! He destroyed my favourite doll and I still have to give a gift to him?
- Do you know why my daughter? You're doing him good. Hugo is also very sad, feeling guilty for what he did.
- Okay. Our Spiritist Education Teacher said the other day we must practice charity.
- Exactly - her mother agreed, smiling.
Later they went out and bought a beautiful ball. Carina then was to bring the gift to Hugo, sealing peace between them.
Her mother then asked once she returned home:
- How was your meeting with Hugo, Carina?
The girl thought a moment and replied:
- More or less. He liked the ball and apologize for breaking my doll.
- And you? Aren’t you happy?
Carina was silent, thoughtful. She went on:
- You know, Mom. I did make peace with him, but inside, deep down – she then placed her hand on her heart - I'm still sad and hurt.
Her mom embraced her daughter, explaining:
- That’s because you haven’t forgiven him, my dear. Remember we said you would do him good; that is, an act of charity? Well. You did material charity, which is the easiest. But the most difficult charity to be practiced is moral charity; especially, forgiveness.
- It's true. I haven’t really forgiven.
- For your sake, try to forget what he did. If you don’t forgive him, you won’t be happy, my daughter.
- I'll try, mom.
Hugo went out looking for Carina a few days later. He was carrying a package in his hands.
- This is for you, Carina. I know it’s not the same thing, but I want you to accept this.
The girl opened it and saw a brand new beautiful doll.
- It's so beautiful, Hugo! How did you get it? The boy said, full of satisfaction:
- When I broke your doll I felt really bad. You know I come from a poor family and my mother wouldn’t have money to buy another doll. But I wanted to repair my mistake.
I asked some friends to help and started working to earn a few bucks.
I washed cars, cleaned gardens, made some deliveries, tidied the kitchen, took care of pets and more. I was then able to buy this doll for you, from my own money.
Carina was surprised. She didn’t think he had been so shaken by what he did to her doll.
- You don’t say anything, Carina. Please accept my gift, with my apology. I am very sorry. Please!
She looked at the boy standing in front of her, pleading with tears in his eyes. She approached him and gave him a big hug.
- Of course I forgive you, Hugo. We are friends and friendship is priceless.
At that moment, Carina felt inside her chest that a dark cloud came off as a little light began to shine, producing well-being, peace and joy. She then added with a smile:
- We are now friends forever!
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 Scarecrow lived in a garden surrounded by mounds of vegetables.
Auntie Célia
He had wooden legs, was upholstered in grass that escaped from here and there, his arms were open… He was there even if rained or shined, in the cold or in the heat.
He wore an old coat which was all patched. He wore a straw hat on his head. He managed to frighten whoever came near it.
The children, who felt frightened, threw stones at him. Small animals flew, feeling horrified when he swung in the wind. The birds didn’t dare come close to him. They felt too fearful of their presence.
The poor Scarecrow felt very unhappy as he was so isolated from all. It felt lonely and worthless.
He could see with its huge button eyes, a man with the hoe digging the soil and throwing the seeds into it. He saw him looking quite tired and covered in sweat. He had an immense desire to help, but couldn’t leave his place. The Scarecrow was always in the same position.
Time passed by...
The seeds flourished, tomatoes and peas matured… Harvest time came for carrots, cabbage and lettuce.
One day the owner of the garden came with his son. He was carrying a bundle under his arm. The man spoke with great affection, showing the garden to the boy:
- See son, how beautiful is our plantation! The vegetables and legumes grew strong and healthy. It is now time to harvest and serve food to many people. I owe all this to someone. Without his invaluable assistance, this couldn’t have happened. This person is someone who has always been firm in its stand, never abandoning the task entrusted to him. This person was already working before dawn. When the sun disappeared over the horizon, he was still firmly in place.
The doll accompanied with great interest. The man then concluded, pointing to the Scarecrow:
- My friend, the Scarecrow!
That poor puppet, whose heart was made of straw, was thrilled and even felt tears coming from his button eyes. The man said, approaching him with a kind smile:
- You, my dear Scarecrow, will get a present for all the help you gave me without expecting anything in return, keeping away animals and birds that would spoil the plants.
The man than unwrapped the package he brought:
- You will get a new outfit!
Henceforth, whoever passed by the neighbourhood, would see a beautiful scarecrow with a new suit jacket and new hat on his head, taking care of the garden. The Scarecrow was very proud of his task. And quite strangely, if observed with attention, a slight smile of satisfaction could be seen at the Scarecrow’s face.
He knew that, like all people, was also useful. He had a job to do, and even if small, was very important.
And also because the scarecrow now felt it was LOVED!
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]
Luke was a seven year old boy who was always looking at the sky, admiring the stars and daydreaming.
Auntie Célia
He loved the space and enjoyed imagining he was an astronaut. When he gathered with his friends at home, they loved playing they were in a spaceship travelling through the galaxies. They invented difficulties, obstacles and problems which they solved, always making sure they returned safely to Earth.
When Luke won a space suit, he became euphoric. He then was not able to do anything. He spent all the time wearing these clothes, living in his fantasy world. He was having difficulties to concentrate at school. He was always thinking somewhere else… One day he could not do his school homework. His teacher then asked:
- Why did you not do your homework, Luke?
He looked down, feeling quite embarrassed for being reprimanded in front of his colleagues. He then replied:
- I forgot, teacher.
One of his schoolmates was called Daniel. This child was always joking around about everything. The boy then suggested:
- I think he was daydreaming about stars, teacher.
Everyone then began to laugh.
- Silence! - The teacher ordered.
She then looked at the child who made the joke and said:
- Why did you say that, Daniel?
The boy then replied:
- I am sorry, teacher, but Luke is always playing about space travelling!
- Ah! So that's why you didn’t do your homework, Luke?
- Yes, teacher. That’s true. When I play, I don’t see the time passing by... I love wearing my space suit and imagining I'm on a mission in space.
- I understand. But why are you so interested on it? What do you expect from this?
Lucas then explained, given the teacher's attention:
- I want to go to other planets, find life on other worlds and meet different beings. When I grow up, I will study hard because I want to be an astronaut!
The teacher, who gazed at him seriously, considered:
- But don’t you realize that you could get low grades or even fail if you don’t study? Moreover, Luke, this is all nonsense. So far no one has proven that life exists in other planets. You'd better forget this nonsense and try to study. Let’s get back to our lesson!
The teacher turned her back to the blackboard and began to write the day’s lesson. No one else spoke about the subject. Luke, however, was deeply upset. He was feeling humiliated before his peers. The teacher put an end to his dreams, his plans for the future.
Luke returned home, feeling sad and disappointed. He kept his head down all his way back home. Once he arrived in the house, his mother asked:
- Hello, my son! What happened? You look like you're a bit sad. Come here, sit next to mom and tell me what happened.
The boy reported the incident in the classroom and, with tears in his eyes, asked:
- Mom, is it true that there is life on other planets?
His mom's eyes widened in surprise:
- Why not, my son? The fact they haven’t yet found life does not mean there isn’t. Space trips are done exactly to be able to find traces of life on other worlds.
- Oh, yes? I feel more relaxed now - the boy replied, relieved.
The mother thought for a moment, and continued:
- Besides, son, I think your teacher doesn’t know Jesus’ Gospel quite well.
His mother then explained:
- When Jesus said: In my Father's house are many mansions, he spoke on exactly that subject. What is the Father's house, Luke?
- I learned it is all that exists!
- That’s right, my son. Then the house of God, our Father, is the universe with all it contains: sun, moon, stars, planets and everything else. Do you think the Creator, who is the supreme wisdom, would create all this for no reason? For example, would you create a city to place intelligent life only in a small shack, in a neighbourhood located far, far away?
- Of course not, Mom!
- So, Luke, our Heavenly Father didn’t do that.
The boy replied; still feeling quite worried:
- So why haven’t we been able to find life on other world so far, Mom?
His mom thought for a moment and concluded:
- Perhaps it is still early, my son. The number of planets in the universe is immense, which makes the search very difficult. It also happens that our equipment and space ships are not equipped in order to accomplish this task, at this moment in time. Besides, with all the violence that exists in our society, wars which are the fruit of pride, selfishness and greed, what do you think would happen if God would allow humans to disembark on another planet?
- This would lead to fights there! - the boy replied.
- Yes, son. It would lead to confusion, disorder, aggression, violence and more. Everything that exists here in our world. God can’t allow that.
Lucas remained silent, reflecting on what his mother said. She saw how thoughtful her child had become and then concluded by saying:
- But don’t lose hope, son. Trust God. This will all change. In the future, when men become better beings, when we learn to live in peace with our brothers, respect ourselves and nature, God will allow us to find life on other worlds. Until then, don’t stop dreaming about it. Prepare yourself for this and study hard.
Luke was now filled with joy and hope. He continued staring at the infinite space, admiring stars and dreaming of the day he would become an astronaut, bringing peace to other planets.
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]
Once there was a small elephant that lived in the clearing of a large forest with his family. In fact, he was not small; he was much larger than any of the other animals of the forest.
Auntie Célia
This elephant had a loving family, a peaceful life, good friends and a beautiful place to live. However, David was always unsatisfied. And you know why? Because he thought his trunk was huge!
He looked at the other animals and didn’t feel happy with his appearance. He then asked his mother:
- Why is it just me, mom, among all my friends who have got a long and ugly nose?
- Because God wanted it that way, my son. And whatever God does is perfect, David.
- But I wanted to have a muzzle as soft as a rabbit one, or perhaps the muzzle as elegant as the one from a fox! – the elephant replied, feeling quite angry.
The poor David spent hours looking at himself in the clear waters of the lake, crying. He was unhappy with his figure:
- Bua! ... bua! ... bua! ... I look so horrible!
One day, after much crying, he laid down in the shade of a tree and fell asleep. To his surprise, when he woke up he noticed that something was missing... He then discovered:
- My trunk is gone! Yey! ... My trunk was gone! ...
There was like a pig snout instead of his trunk, which looked just like a socket. He thanked God that the help received. He then stood up and decided to show his friends his new beautiful and elegant nose.
But as it was very hot, David decided to cool off in the lake. He tried to grab some water from the lake to wash his back, but failed. He couldn’t do it anymore. Oh, it was so good when David could play with the water!
- Never mind, he thought. - I'm hungry and I will eat some leaves.
He then left the water and headed to a tree where he could see some beautiful and tender new leaves right at the top. He soon realized he could not get it.
He stretched ... and stretched ... and stretched his nose…. But wasn’t able to reach it. He realised his nose was too short to reach the tree branch.
He tried to pick some leaves from the ground, but failed. Chiiii! He tried to scratch his back, to drink water, but wasn’t able to do it.
He now began to feel sad and distressed with the new muzzle. He was so pleased and excited earlier, but was now thinking he might die of hunger and thirst without his trunk.
He then decided to walk a bit through the woods thinking about how he would solve his problem. He found his friends the rabbit and the squirrel.
Both of them screamed, as they didn’t recognise David.
- It’s me, David. Don’t you recognize me?
The rabbit and the squirrel looked at him and asked:
- What happened, David? You're looking horrible!
And he told them he had asked God to remove that the trunk he hated so much.
- Well, now how are you going to take us for a walk on your back? How are we going to climb at your back, without your trunk?
- Yeah! – David realised, now repentant.
He left his friends and went home. But his father, mother and brothers didn’t accept him, saying:
- Go away! We don’t recognize you!
- But It's me, David! Don’t you recognize me?
- Liar. Our David looks very different and has a beautiful trunk like ours. Get out of here!
The elephant expelled by the family he loved so much… They didn’t recognise David… He then left the house and walked away crying disconsolately.
David then woke up with the tears falling down his face. He was very pleased to find out it was all just a dream. He looked at his trunk, which was now back in the right place. He then sighed with relief.
He ran to tell his mother his dream and said firmly:
- Now I know that God really knows what to do. Our trunk is very important and useful in our lives.
- Exactly, my son, and I'm glad you have understood this truth - her mother nodded, smiling at David.
From that day onwards, David never wanted to be different. He is always living happily with what God has given him.
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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The little Indian was walking through the jungle, feeling sad and discouraged.
Auntie Célia
His mother died on the same day he was born. Since then he had been created by a very good and generous woman. She was prepared to take care of the child, but could not replace the mother he never met.
What would be a "mother"? How would a "mother" be? He wanted to know. So, he decided to go out and ask everyone he met. Someone surely will be able to describe a mother to him! He then went off walking in the woods on a beautiful sunny day… He found a bunny, hidden among the leaves of a bush…
- Mrs. Bunny, what is a "mother"? – he asked.
At this point in time, her pup threw himself into the arms of Mother Bunny, feeling quite scared. The mother bunny, who was covered with beautiful white fur, replied after stroking her son:
- Oh! A mother is someone who protects from the dangers!
He walked a little bit further and found Lady Owl on a tree branch.
- Mrs. Owl, what is a "mother"?
She replied, gazing at her owl cubs with its enormous staring eyes full of tenderness:
- Someone who loves the beautiful puppies God gave her!
The Indian boy walked away still feeling confused, because Owl chicks were quite ugly. Later the little Indian found a little bird that had a tasty worm attached to the nozzle.
- Mrs. Finch, what is a "mother"?
She answered his question without hesitation, after placing the worm in the mouth of her cub.
- "Mother" is the one who feeds, so her cub can grow strong and healthy - she said, convinced.
The little Indian thanked the animal and left. He then found a cat that licked the back of your puppy very carefully… He then asked:
- Mrs. Cat, can you tell me what a "mother" is?
The cat then replied:
- I have no doubt that a "mother" is someone who washes and cares for her babies to always be clean.
It was already a bit late and little Indian needed to go home before dark. He was so confused! Everyone he asked gave him different answers and he did not understand why….
He then began to walk quite quickly… He suddenly tripped on a log and fell, injuring his leg in a splinter of the tree. He felt a lot of pain. He stood up and decided to walk back but with great difficulty.
When approaching the village, he could see that something was happening because everyone seemed worried. When the people from his village saw him coming, the one who looked after the little Indian ran to meet him, feeling quite upset:
- Where did you go? I was worried! Night came and you did not show up! On, no! You are hurt! And look at how messy you are looking! Please come with me. Let's wash the wound and cover it with a dressing. Are you hungry? I prepared that vegetable stew you really like...
He then looked at the woman who was speaking to him with so much love and affection… She was so concern about his welfare… The Indian boy remembered what his friends from the forest had told him. He had no more doubts. How come he never noticed this before? She was everything they said and much, much more.
He had now tears in his eyes. He then spoke with compassion and feeling confident:
– MOMMY !!...
Wishing happy mother's day to all moms in the world!
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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One of Jonas’ toys was gone. He got angry and suspected his brother Luke, who was only three years old, took it. He then shouted:
Auntie Célia
- Luke, give me back my new red wagon.
- I do not know where it is. I did not catch your car - replied the boy.
- Yes, you took it. Tell me where you hid it, Luke!
The little boy then insisted, crying:
- I did not take it! I did not take it! It wasn’t me!
Their mom came into the room and held the younger child. She saw what was happening and said to the eldest son:
- Jonas, my son, you are eleven years old and can not be fighting with your brother. If Luke said he did not take it, believe him. Look carefully around the house and eventually you will be able to find your toy.
Jonah left the room and started searching for the cart. He was feeling extremely angry with the situation. He searched his bedroom, the backyard, the balcony and even the bathroom. He was still not able to find his favorite toy.
Not knowing where else to look, Jonas entered his dad’s office. He stared at his father’s bookcase and thought: It can only be here!
He removed all books from the shelf.
When the father arrived in the evening, was startled. Jonas found lost in the books, discouraged.
- What happened, son? - Asked, amazed.
- I was looking for my cart, Dad.
- In the midst of my books? And did you find it?
- No, Daddy.
- Well then, now put the books back in the right place.
- But, Daddy! I'm tired! - the boy complained, frowning.
His father then said, with patience:
- Jonas, you were the one who made this mess. So it is you who should clean it up, putting the books back in the right place! You can start it now; otherwise you will not be able to end it up till bedtime.
They did not see that Luke entered into the room, hidden behind the table, and listened to the entire conversation.
Once their father left the room, Luke volunteered to help:
- Do you need help Jonas?
The older brother was carrying a big stack of books in his arms he could hardly bear. He answered, very grumpy:
- You?! Go away, little brat! You do not have the strength to carry such heavy books. Now, please let me work!
Jonas felt exhausted after a short while. He decided to take a break to rest and have a snack, but was so tired he sat on the sofa, watching television, and ended up taking a nap.
When he woke up, he got a shock!
"My God, I felt asleep and did not finishing tidying up daddy’s books!"
He ran to the office and felt quite surprised with what he saw...
It seemed like a miracle! The books were all in the right place, although slightly misaligned!
- Who has done this? – he whispered in disbelief.
A cheerful and clear voice answered:
- I did it!
It was Luke. He was so happy with his work, carrying the last book.
- How did you do that, Luke? They are very heavy! How did you load a stack of books?
- It didn’t carry a stack of books. I carried one by one!
Jonas looked at his brother, admired by the work he had accomplished. He realized that he ignored Luke’s help since he judged him incapable of doing it. However, his little brother proved he could perform that task. He couldn’t carry heavy weight, but used his head and carried the books slowly.
Jonas approached his brother and embraced him.
- Luke, today you showed me that we can always do what we want. All we need is good-will and creativity. Thank you, brother.
Their parents were passing by at that moment and stopped to watch the scene. They were also pleased to see the brothers embracing each other and at peace.
Their mom then said:
- There is one thing missing to complete the lesson of the day, Jonas. Do you remember your little red wagon? Well, I found my son. It was in the middle of your clothes in the closet.
Jonas blushed with shame. He then turned to his brother and said:
- Luke, I do not know how to apologize for how I acted. I made a mistake and misjudged you twice today. You showed you are small in size but has a big heart. Despite having been mistreated by me, you supported my temper and my anger. When you saw I was in trouble, you helped me with joy, accomplishing a task that was mine. Can you forgive me, please?
The young boy hugged Jonas with a grin:
- Sure! Can you take me for a walk tomorrow?
Everyone laughed, happy to be part of a family that had problems just like any other, but above all was a happy one, because there is understanding, generosity and love among all members.
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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The main concern of Caius’ mother was to be able to educate her child. She wanted him to become someone who had good feelings, who enjoyed to study and work. If these goals were achieved, it'd be great.
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
However, Caius was someone who loved leading a good life with no responsibilities or duties. He was quite lazy. He avoided any kind of physical and/or mental efforts. He felt it was such a pain to have to go to school. He never enjoyed to do any kind of service his mother asked him to do. She joked with him by saying:
- You act just like a sloth!
But Caius did not mind being called a sloth. He only enjoyed having fun with his friends.
One day he was playing and his mom asked him to take a shower. He went to the bathroom muttering:
- Oh, Mom! I want to play! Why do I have to take a shower?
His mom patiently answered:
– Because it’s necessary for you to take a shower, my son! Have you ever wondered what would happen if you didn’t shower every day? You would soon be dirty, smelly and no one would want to approach you.
- Oh! What if I do not want to shower? – the undisciplined boy replied.
- You would be subject to diseases, due to microorganisms that come from bacteria. These proliferate in the dirt. Would you like to take the risk?
The boy looked down, stirring the water with your hands.
His mom saw he was not convinced by her words. She then said after watching him for a moment:
- Caius, look at you! Have you ever thought how wonderful your body is?
- My body?! - The boy looked up, interested.
- Yes, my son. God gave you a perfect body! Everything works well. Your vision is perfect, you can listen well ... Make an effort: Think of everything you received from God.
The boy thought a moment and remembered:
- My legs are strong and lead me where I want to go. My arms are also perfect and I am quite strong, ain’t I?
- Yes, my son.
Caius was enjoying the chat. He thought and then realised:
- I am intelligent and a fast learner when I want to be. I can also hear quite well. I am able to speak properly… On the other hand, Heloise, my colleague, has trouble speaking….
- Yes, Caius. Our Father in Heaven gave you these and many other good things that you can relate to. But have you thought about the responsibility you have for all you have received?
The boy's eyes widened up in amazement.
- Responsibility?
- Yes, my son. It is when we have to answer for the damage we caused to something or to someone. Don’t you feel responsible for looking after a present you just got, for example? – his mother said.
- It's true. I look after my toys with great care and don’t let anyone break or ruin them.
- Okay, my son. If a toy is broken it can be repaired. If it can’t be repaired, you could even get a new one. Therefore, we can’t do the same with our body. It was a gift given by God to us so that we could use it throughout our lifetime. So how do you think you should treat your body?
- I had not thought about that before, Mom. I must look after it, wash and clean it so I can keep it working properly.
- That’s right, Caius. If you look after your body, it will always be healthy and you will be able to use it for a long time.
The boy thought for a moment and asked again:
- Xiii! But I do not know how to wash it from the inside!
His mother laughed at the idea and clarified:
- Do not worry, Caius. God does everything so well the cleaning of the inner side of our body is done automatically. The organs themselves clean and eliminate what is not needed.
- I know! This is what happens with feces and pee.
- Exactly, but not only that my son. If our material body, which is transitory, needs our care and dedication, what does our eternal Spirit require?
- Will I have to wash the Spirit too? - the boy asked, in astonishment.
- On, no, my son. Although, if you already want to be best; if you already want to follow the teachings of Jesus, we must cleanse our soul. How do we do it?
- It's hard, Mom.
- No, it’s not. You only need good will and perseverance. We have to clear our thoughts, removing the negative things. We should correct our feelings, putting goodness in our attitudes. We should also renew our ideals and aspirations, wishing the best, elevating our thoughts to the Higher Spheres. We must also be ready to work, learn and grow. Never stand still, without any action. Do you know why?
- No.
- Because there are also microbes and bacteria in the spiritual world. They attack the people who do not take good care of their inner cleaning.
The boy was silent, reflecting on everything he had heard. He then concluded, smiling:
- You're right, Mom. I do not want to be a sloth.
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 boy was born a long ago, in a family of serious and respectable people. The birth of a baby is a very special day for the family; so this 3rd October, 1804 would be forever stamped in their lives. His parents were very happy with the baby's arrival. They offered him affection and attention. They called him Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail.
Author: Célia Xavier Camargo
Jean-Baptiste, his father, and Jeanne Louise, her mother, leaned over the crib and thought: How will our baby be? What will our son do when he grows up?
They both came from traditional families of intelligent and educated people. Jean-Baptiste, his father, was a judge. It was natural for him to worry about the child's future.
19th Century in France was a difficult time for education and learning. Teachers tried to educate their students through punishment; through spanking. There were few schools, and existing ones were usually for the more privileged people.
Since the boy was very little, Hippolyte Léon’s father was thinking where he would send his child to study. provided that the child was already looking little thought to what school would have you when the time came. He researched for a long time and decided to send him to the Pestalozzi School in Yverdun, Switzerland.
Pestalozzi was a famous educator, renowned throughout the world. Even if coming from a Catholic family, the boy was sent to a Protestant country where he became one of the most famous disciples of Pestalozzi. As a teacher, he disseminated his master’s educational system. It revolutionized the teaching programme in France and Germany.
Hippolyte Léon had lucid intelligence, remarkable thinking, noble feelings, upright character and good principles. By the time he was fourteen, he would teach younger students, replacing his teacher when he needed to travel.
Despite being a brilliant student, he faced discrimination for being a Catholic in a Protestant country. He suffered acts of intolerance and saw others suffering as well. This led him to want a religious reform, in which all people were united and seen as equal beings.
But he did not know how to do it!
Once he returned to France, he finished his studies. He devoted his time to teaching and to the translation of works on education and morals for the German language, which he knew really well. He also wrote several books. He founded a school where he took the task of educating children and youth to become worthy and respectable men like him.
By that time, spirits’ manifestations shacked the world. Professor Rivail then began researching the issue and realized the importance of these phenomena.
He had a clear mind, clear thinking and was always willing to learn. He was always open to new ideas.
He researched the spirits’ manifestations, compared his research with information he received from different countries and selected them by subjects. He then formed a set of teachings he named Spiritism, or Spiritist Teachings.
He realized the importance of this knowledge coming from the Spirit World to enlighten men on earth. On 18th April 1857 he published the book called "The Spirits’ Book" which contains all the Spiritist Teachings, under the pseudonym Allan Kardec. He had an illustrious name in France and has published several books. He did not want to influence people with his name.
The basis of Spiritism are: 1) The existence of God. 2) The immortality of the soul. 3) Communication between the material and spiritual worlds. 4) The law of reincarnation or successive lives. 5) The plurality of inhabited worlds.
That child, who was born in the early nineteenth century, had extraordinary task: to become the Codifier of the Spiritist Teachings.
As Jesus’ messenger, he came to transform the world with the help of the spirits, bringing enlightenment, consolation, faith and hope to all creatures.
He finally found what he sought with the teachings of the High Spirits. He understood that all men are brothers and equal before the law. The only differences between each other are the degree of moral development and the moral achievements reached.
On 18th April, when the Spiritist Teachings complete 150 years, let us offer our thoughts to Allan Kardec. We are full of gratitude for the remarkable mission that he fulfilled so well.
Certainly those who were his parents in the last existence, who received him in his home, were chosen for this task and prepared to give Allan Kardec the education and support needed to carry out the mission that he would perform in the future. The Spirits Jean Baptiste and Jeanne Louise should feel happy, fulfilled and grateful to God for giving them a son who would become one of the greatest men of all times.
Allan Kardec is a light that shines in the infinite as a bright star that will never be extinguished.
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 spirit always possesses free-will. It is in virtue of this free-will that he chooses, when in the spirit-state, the trials he elects to undergo in the corporeal life, and that he deliberates, when in the incarnate state whether he will do, or not do, and chooses between good and evil. To deny a man's free-will would be to reduce him to a machine.” Question 399 from The Spirits’ Book
Claudia Schmidt
Louise is twelve years old teenager. She is very connected to her aunt Antonia. They have spiritual links, since the affection that unites them is very high.
Antonia takes her niece to spiritist education classes since Louise was very little. She was always asking her about every class her niece went to. She wanted to know what was taught and enhanced Louise’s learning with stories, books, conversations because she knows it's an important opportunity to learn about Jesus and Spiritism.
Antonio also knows that Louise, like all reincarnate spirit, brings tendencies and imperfections to be corrected. She has a lot to learn.
Antonia is closely monitoring Louise’s attitudes. She is very aware of the spiritual development of her niece, guiding her in the light of Spiritism. But on one day she unintentionally saw her niece stirring in her wallet, pulling out notes from it.
Her aunt then reinforced lessons about honesty and respect for others' property, remembering concepts like the law of cause and effect. Therefore, on the following week, Louise’s grandmother told Antonia that her granddaughter had sadly withdrawn money from her wallet without previous authorisation.
On her birthday, Louise didn’t get a gift from her aunt:
- You know it's wrong to take what is not yours, without the owner’s permission. This attitude has a name and who performs it is called...
- But Auntie, I don’t ... - the teenager stopped her auntie from finishing her sentence.
- I don’t want you to say anything - her aunt said, firmly. Nothing you say can change or justify what you have done. You are free to make your choices. Do you remember the concept of free ill? But every choice has consequences...
Louise listened to her auntie with her head down. Antonia continued saying:
- Everyone reaps the good or evil you sow. Honesty is an attitude that is valid for big and small things; for a few notes or for large amounts of cash. My birthday present to you this year is this conversation we're having. I hope you think about what you did and next time chooses joy and happiness. I want you to know I am doing this because I love you so much. If I simply pretend that nothing ever happened, I won’t be helping you to think about your attitudes and to make the right choices...
Louise didn’t enjoy that conversation. She thought her aunt was exaggerating because those were just a few notes that wouldn’t make a huge difference. Louise could now understand that the Law of Cause and Effect after going through these bitter experiences. She now felt the result of her poor choices. She is now aware that only by choosing goodness and love we will be happy.
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
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Louis and Jean 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. Jean 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.
Claudia Schmidt
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! - Louis 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, Jean got a better understanding of the task that Louis would have during his next incarnation: Jean would soon reincarnate; his protector spirit would be Louis. He was a more evolved Spirit than him, who accepted the task of monitoring Jean. They were already friends, and knew that reincarnation is a precious opportunity to grow and learn.
Louis 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. Louis 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 Jean, Louis 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.
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
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Denise was a girl who felt sad because she was the only black girl in her class. She sensed the other girls didn’t want to mix with her because of the colour of her skin. One day, the school hired a new teacher for her class who was called Luciana.
Maria Aparecida Melo da Silva - Juiz de Fora/MG
This teacher saw sadness in her eyes and had an idea: she proposed a school contest, called the Contest of Joy. The contest would require the participation of the entire class. Some of the girls didn’t enjoy the idea because Denise would have to participate with them. They gathered all around Teacher Luciana to hear how this contest would work.
When she began to explain, everyone was euphoric and wanted to participate. Do you know what the rules were? All participants would have to find among teachers, students and college workers the biggest number of people who had a friend or relative who voluntarily helped in schoolwork.
And so the contest began… The teacher organized the groups. The children were so happy with this new challenge they began to mix with Denise. They joined together with her to accomplish the tasks.
Everyone participated in the contest. They worked hard to find people who matched the criteria and reported them back to the teacher. The children were then required to talk about their experiences to the rest of the class. They realized that, based on everyone’s testimonials, even the simplest of the school employees had an experience to tell. The color of their skin didn’t matter at all for them to volunteer in schoolwork.
Teacher Luciana gathered everyone around her at the end of the contest and said:
- The success of this contest was only possible thanks to the efforts of all of you. In life, skin color or social position doesn’t matter for a human being to have success in life. God, in His infinite goodness, never ranked beings by their color or social standing. He sent his son Jesus to teach us to love and respect everyone.
Everyone hugged Denise at the end of the activity. When she returned to her home, she was with her heart full of happiness; not just her but also her colleagues.
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
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Sam didn’t like studying and going to school. Cathy was two years older than him, but lived with her face buried in books. She always loved to read and study!
Claudia Schmidt
Cathy moved to the same building where Sam lives. The boy soon noticed that she was seated on the patio reading for a long time. He decided to ask her: "What could be so interesting for you to be reading for such a long time?"
One day he was coming closely to her and found out that she was reading a book called 'Mensagem do Pequeno Morto'1 (Message from the Young Dead). Are dead people sending messages? - The boy thought to himself. He felt quite curious about it and asked to borrow her book. He read it pretty quickly! It was then that Sam discovered a new world: the World of Spirits. This was the first of many books that the girl started to lend him...
The two started to meet up in the courtyard of the building to talk about the books they read. They exchanged many ideas and Sam learned many things about the Spiritist Teachings with his new friend.
Cathy discovered that Sam didn’t like studying or even going to school. She then outlined a plan to help him change his mind:
- I don’t agree! Studying is so boring! - Sam complained.
- I don’t agree with you: studying is great!
- There is something is wrong here - the boy said. We go to the same school!
- But my school is magic; yours isn’t!
The boy didn’t understand ... Cathy then showed him a book called Escola Mágica2 (Magic School) that had in the book cover the drawing of a school and some kids.
- I'll show you your school. The girl looked through the book and all the pages appeared to be blank. This is your school; it's hidden behind your unwillingness to learn! If you think that learning and studying is boring, it will be really boring! Try to think different! Can you remember something you enjoyed learning?
The boy spent some time in silence and remembered the History lessons he had at school. For him, it was nice to know things that have happened through the narratives of his teacher.
- You see! - Cathy exclaimed. Your school can be different. Studying is important and necessary. You just need a bit of good will and willingness to learn! Your school will look like this when you realize that: the girl showed the same book; but now with pictures of a school in black and white, that hadn’t appeared before.
- How did you do that? - Sam wondered.
- My mother taught me that my school is magic! - The girl laughed. I also learned that I shouldn’t study only because she wants me to or to please teachers... I study because I like knowing things and because I want to have a profession one day. So, I consider my school to be a nice place where I can make friends and learn interesting things. Did you know I also attend other magic classes: spiritist education classes?
Sam had no time to respond, because she said straight away:
- If you understand that studying is cool, so your school will be as follows: she showed the same book; now with quite colorful and cheerful pictures! Your school will be magic just as mine is!
The two friends continued to meet in the corridors of the building, but now also at the school library. They also go together to spirit education classes. Sam doesn’t know yet, but will later on have the opportunity to become a teacher at a school he will be able to help become magic...
1XAVIER, Francisco. Message from a Teen in the Spirit World. Spirit Neio Lúcio. 9 ed. FEB. 2005. 2BUCHWEITZ, Donaldo e James Misse. Escola Mágica. Editora Ciranda Cultural.
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
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“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6, 4)
Claudia Schmidt
There was once a young lady who, accompanied by her young daughter, crossed town by car. Although she was able to dress with trendy clothes, she dressed very simply. Her daughters’ clothes were also very simple. In the morning, she entered into a very poor wooden house where she is welcomed with joy by a woman. This lady had a tired look in her face; she was surrounded by children.
Everyone surrounded the young lady, who was bringing food and warm clothing for the children, as well as her smile, words of encouragement and support. As the conversation continues, it can be seen that friendship and respect are the foundation of the relationship between these families that live far away from each other, in different realities.
The family accepts help, because the father, who was the breadwinner of the house, is sick. The mother can’t maintain the whole family with her income only. After leaving the house, the young lady and her daughter will go to the hospital to bring words of comfort and family news to the father, who is recovering from a serious illness.
The woman who provides assistance to that family doesn’t ask if the mother and her children believe in God or follow a religion. She knows they are her brothers, since we are all God's children, regardless of religious beliefs. She is certain that by helping one family, she begins the day with the right attitude. She is practicing sincere charity, the one that is coming from the heart.
The family receiving the assistance doesn’t know the name of the patron; they only know that her name is Mary. They don’t know the name of the girl either. They also have no idea where mother and daughter live. They just know that goodness reigns in those two hearts, who want to help without wanting anything in return.
Why do they wear simple clothes? They dress up in a simple way not to humiliate the family receiving the assistance. They don’t want the family to feel sorry for not having modern and beautiful clothes. Mother and daughter know that charity shouldn’t be done out of obligation, but must be done with love and respect for those who need assistance.
Why is the daughter coming along with her mother? Her mother teaches her to practice charity, by donating material things. Besides, she can also spend her time doing other kinds of charity work: helping someone who is sick, devoting time to a child who wants attention and affection, listening to an elderly person who wants to talk not to feel lonely. Her mother is teaching her daughter to do charity from the heart; without wanting anything in return. She also teaches the girl through her example that we should do charity without anyone knowing the good that is done, so that we will be in peace with our conscience.
Nobody knows about the charitable attitudes that mother and daughter do. They don’t tell anyone; not even her husband, neighbors or friends. One day, however, one woman who was helped by them came to their home, selling handicrafts. She recognized the woman who helped her when she needed with material things, but also with words of affection and encouragement. The woman wanted to thank her but Mary said: ‘Don’t say anything, don’t tell anyone. This is what Jesus taught us.’ She referred to the phrase of the Master: "Don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing". He taught us to help with no expectation of rewards, without telling anyone the good we have done.
They didn’t know, but God's messengers were watching them, approving the help they offered, as well as the simple and sincere way they helped those in need. When both mother and daughter slept at night, they received the blessings of heaven as a reward and recognition for all goodness they practice.
Story based on the chap. XIII, The Gospel According to Spiritism, Hidden misfortunes.
1 Misfortunes: unhappiness, disgrace
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
Laura was very upset and decided to complain to her father:
Claudia Schmidt
- Why did Mari get a bike for passing the school year and I didn’t get anything? My grades were good this year...
Her father knew that it was sometimes difficult for Laura to understand some decisions they made, but he and his wife were confident they were giving the best education for his daughter. So he began to explain to her calmly, asking if she remembered the family rules. The girl said yes. Her father asked what her duties were as a daughter.
- To obey and respect my parents, help with home duties, not be at peace with my sister, to study...
- The rules help everyone’s well-being, right? The girl nodded and the father continued:
- Do you receive a salary for this?
- I get pocket money - Laura said.
The father recalled that the monthly allowance she gets isn’t a payment for her meeting her obligations, but rather a way she could learn that material things cost money and we can’t buy everything we want.
- We will not give you a gift for you to have passed the school year or for being a good girl - he said, firmly. Goodness should be done because it is the right thing to do; not because we will get something in return.
He paused briefly and invited his daughter to come closer so he could hug her. Love and sincerity could be felt in his words, when he continued:
- You haven’t realized that yet, but to do goodness brings happiness. One day, my daughter, you will understand we must do what is right; so that we don’t to reap the fruits of our poor choices. Whoever chooses evil also chooses suffering; that is the future consequence of that choice.
- But getting a new bike would be a good incentive - that was the girl’s last argument.
- Everyone has free will. We, your parents, choose not to buy your dedication to your studies with a bike or new clothes, but to explain to you about the Law of Cause and Effect.
Laura heard so many times about that law. It’s the law of the harvest; we can choose what to plant: good or evil, but we reap what we plant.
- I know ... I can’t plant tomatoes and reap onions; I can’t do evil and want to reap good things.
- This also applies to your studies. Parents can explain, but the one makes the choices is the child. And surely you won’t get a present for making the right choice; that is to study seriously, valuing what you are learning. You are the one who will reap the rewards in the future. I don’t know anyone who has regretted studying, by the way...
Laura agreed. She was still a little bit upset. After all, it’s not easy growing up in a spiritist family. There were no promises or immediate rewards for her. She would later on understand that the spiritist lessons she learned in her childhood were important for her to choose goodness; that brings happiness to her life.
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
There once was a yellow Jaguar and a Turtle called Lily.
The yellow Jaguar thought to be really clever and decided to play up with Turtle Lily.
Do you know what she did?
She invited Turtle Lily to a race. Whoever arrived first at the finishing line would take the prize, which was a delicious meal.
The yellow Jaguar was full of confidence. It knew it would be easy to win the race.
But the yellow Jaguar didn’t count on the wisdom of King Parrot. He was known as a very kind and honest king; nothing would pass by unnoticed around him.
King Parrot knew Turtle Lily walked slowly and the yellow Jaguar walked quite quickly. He decided to teach the Jaguar a lesson. The King then put several bags of food throughout the way.
When they began the race, the yellow Jaguar ran quickly; the Turtle Lily went walking with her little steps.
The Yellow Jaguar won the race. It soon began opening the sack of food. It was so happy to have won the race against Turtle Lily. But do you remember what the King Parrot did?
Well… Turtle Lily encountered various bags while walking. When she reached the end of the race, she had found four bags of food throughout the way! The Jaguar Yellow won only one bag for winning the race!
King Parrot met the two of them and said:
- We learned a great lesson with this race: Yellow jaguar, thinking to be so clever because it runs fast, could only win a bag of food. Turtle Lily earned four bags, because it could pay a closer look around her path, thereby collecting the largest amount of food.
- He who runs too fast doesn’t pay attention to the way and ends up losing opportunities; he who seeks to be careful always sees important details and ends up getting better results.
It’s always important to be calm so that our Father in Heaven can guide us through our Guardian Angel and our spiritual friends.
Maria Aparecida Melo da Silva - Juiz de Fora/MG
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Top]
“Why has God given wealth and power to some, and poverty to others? In order to try them in different ways. Moreover, as you know, it is the spirits themselves who have selected those trials, under which they often succumb.” The Spirits' Book by Allan Kardec, question 814.
Claudia Schmidt
- But it's my birthday! - Ronan cried in front of the window showing the toy he wanted.
- Yes, I know – his mother answered. But you've got your gifts and you can’t have everything you want, my son.
- Just this one, please! - The boy begged.
His mother had now a serious and firm look. The boy then fell silent.
- You don’t value what you have, Ronan. And you are not even grateful for everything you have.
It was true. The boy complained a lot and always wanted new toys, regardless of whether his parents could afford them. If he got them, he soon would loose interest on them.
They walked back home and his mother Ana said:
- Have you noticed how many things you have to thank for?
- How so?
- We should thank God for all we have: a comfortable home, a school where you learn many things... She paused and then continued: a father, a mother, two brothers...
His mom was called Ana. She smiled and continued the conversation. Ronan, with the help of his mother, felt grateful for the food, clothing, furniture, his dog and his bike.
They went on holiday. When they were returning from the trip, their car broke down near the entrance of the city. While waiting for the car to be repaired, Ronan noticed the houses and the children playing nearby. The houses looked very simple.
There were old people sitting in the shade... Ronan’s mother went to talk to them. He soon realized those families were quite underprivileged: there lacked food, medicine and hope.
Ronan observed everything as he recalled the times he didn’t want to eat because the food wasn’t that he had asked for lunch.
A few days later, mother and son returned to the place. They brought food, medicines, blankets and clothes collected in an organized campaign in their neighborhood.
Ronan understood, through many conversations with his mother, that each spirit experiences different situations for their own learning. Material deprivation is a test by which the spirits pass, but that can be prevented by charitable hearts. Over time, he understood, even, that wealth is also a proof, because everyone will give account of the use made of goods that were on loan from God.
During other trips, Ronan and Ana made new thanking lists. They created a list in alphabetical order including trees, toys, the sky ... They wanted to thank God for everything they had. On other occasions, mother and son thanked rivers, seas, flowers, the spiritist education classes, the things they already knew, the past and the future.
Gradually, Ronan stopped complaining. He realized that, though he didn’t have everything he wanted, he was to thank God for everything that is part of life. He now notices and appreciates the opportunities for learning in this incarnation.
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Top]
“When a man is plunged, so to say, in an atmosphere of vice, does not the impulsion to evil become, for him, almost irresistible? The impulsion is strong, but not irresistible, for you sometimes find great virtues in an atmosphere of vice. Those who thus remain virtuous in the midst of incitements to evil are spirits who have acquired sufficient strength to resist temptation, and who, while thus testing that strength, fulfill the mission of exercising a beneficial influence on those around them." The Spirits' Book by Allan Kardec, question 645.
Claudia Schmidt
Clara passed away over a year ago. She was getting back from a party. They were going back home by car, but the vehicle hit a tree. The driver was actually drunk. He didn’t get hurt, but Clara’s physical body couldn’t stand the shock. She saw when the ambulance came to try to save her. She was drunk and scared at the same time. They tried to revive her body but were not able to so. She even saw her parents arrive at the scene and find their daughter’s lifeless body.
She wandered for a long time, without direction. She was feeling distraught. She went to several parties where there was a lot of alcohol and drugs. She saw disincarnate spirits like her suggest to young people irresponsible attitudes, with tragic consequences such as homicides, suicides, abortions, addictions and car accidents.
Gradually, she realized the spiritual vibration of these meetings where there is no ethics, as well as respect for others and yourself, allow easy access to unbalanced spirits. They connect to incarnate young people. They inspire them to drink with these spirits, to use drugs with them, disrupt and deceive others.
Initially, Clara thought everything bad that happened to those young people were because of the obsessing spirits. But then she realized the bond happened due to spiritual tuning. Young incarnate people could always choose what attitude to take. Therefore, many opted to use alcohol or drugs; they let themselves be deceived by false ideas related to fun and pleasure.
Clara is now at a Spiritual Colony, where she reflects on the attitudes she had on her last incarnation. She is now preparing herself to reincarnate; she is quite aware that she will need to overcome her tendency for addictions, in a difficult incarnation.
She is now much more conscious. She inspires her friends, trying to make them understand that you can have fun without alcohol or drugs while respecting your physical body and respecting others. She sincerely wishes that pain and suffering won’t be necessary for them to learn that each one of us is responsible for our choices and the consequences that result from them.
Clara is also hoping that what happened to her can be a warning to many young people, so that other lives are not disrupted due to involvement with alcohol and drugs.
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Top]
From a distance, a conversation could be heard from the kitchen:
Claudia Schmidt
v- I am the best! - The pineapple said. I make a delicious juice. Ask if any of them like pineapple juice.
- No sir! - The pear said very serious. I am not only naturally delicious, but also good in jams and sweets. Ask if any of them like pears.
- Everybody knows I'm the best. I am known as Strawberry Max. I show up even in yogurt and delicious sweets. Ask if any of them like strawberries.
- I am the most important fruit – the proud orange said. I have vitamin C which protects against colds and flu. Ask if any of them like oranges.
- But I am the fruit that everyone loves. I don’t know anyone who does not like banana. Ask if any of them like banana.
- But Peter likes apple the most. I am delicious with or without the skin! Ask if any of them like apples.
And the discussion went on and on…. Mr. Pineapple spoke once again:
- Eating fruit is very important! All fruits have vitamins that give health and provision for children to play and learn many things.
- You have to wash fruits before eating. But I'm always really clean - snapped the banana.
The lime did not say anything. It just watched the debate from far distant. He lived quite sad and lonely. It thought nobody liked him; it also believed to be the bitterest fruit.
Suddenly, lots of laughter and conversation were heard. There were the kids in the kitchen. All the fruit fell silent immediately. There were three children living in that house. They were all coming from school.
- I'm hungry - one said.
- So am I - answered the other two.
Their mother asked them to wait a little. She was going to arrange yummy snacks for them. And you know what she did? She prepared a delicious fruit salad with banana, apple, orange, strawberry, pear, pineapple and other fruits. Start showing off the fruits to the children by placing them all into a container or sticking them into the board.
The kids loved it! They ate all the fruit salad. The lemon was watching the scene from far distance, feeling quite sad because it wasn’t part of that meal!
Soon the children were playing in the courtyard. It was a hot summer afternoon and after some time their mother realized they were thirsty.
She then made delicious lemonade and everybody happy, including the lemon that could finally join the fun!
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Top]
There was once a beautiful little flower that was named Maggy. It was a delicate yellow flower that felt very happy when someone smelled her perfume.
Carina Comerlato
Every morning when the sun rose she would wake up, stretch her petals and exhale a delicious fragrance. Everyone who passed by near Maggy sensed her scent and felt happy. They realized nature is a wonderful gift from God.
Even the hummingbirds and the bees were enchanted by Maggy’s beauty. They came to visit her to feed on pollen and cover her with kisses in gratitude for the food.
One day Maggy, who was very kind, noted that near the tree where she was lived a family of squirrels. There were pretty hungry cubs that needed food to grow strong. Maggy heard mommy squirrel saying it was difficult to find fruit to feed the cubs because there were few fruit trees planted there. Unfortunately, men tore down trees for timber and left many animals unprotected, homeless and without food.
Maggy then remembered that Jesus taught us to help those in need and had an idea: she met all the flowers that lived in that same tree and decided it was time to turn into delicious fruit. On the next morning, all the flowers had become green fruit that grew and were ripe for use as food for those baby squirrels.
In gratitude to God for the food, the squirrels kept the seeds from the fruit they ate and planted them to grow more trees and delicious fruit, so that no animal in the forest would feel hungry again.
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Color Drawings]
[Drawings]
[Top]
Friendly is a beautiful turtle. She lives with her parents and brothers close to a beautiful beach… She lives in the sea. This place is located next big rocks. Friendly the turtle loves to spend her time sun bathing at these rocks and staring at the sea.
Claudia Schmidt
She has a very good life. She sun bathes and plays with her brothers and sisters all the time. Friendly has a good friend called Arch, who is a very nice fish. They usually go swimming together, discovering new plants and different animals that live at the bottom of the ocean.
Friendly’s mom is called Lola. She always asks Friendly to avoid swimming far from her, since this could be dangerous. Unfortunately, Friendly doesn’t seem to listen to her mom’s advice... She thought her mom didn’t know about everything…. Friendly said to herself that mom was too worried and there was nothing wrong with exploring new areas.
Time went by… Friendly and Arch kept spending time together, swimming and exploring the bottom of the ocean.
One day they went for a swim and suddenly realized they were too far away from home. This place was stunning – there were lots of chorals and different plants. They decided to stop and appreciate its beauty. Out of sudden, a big boat passed by and threw a fish net. Friendly was caught by it; he wasn’t able to run away from the net.
Friendly and the other fish began to scream for help! Arch didn’t know what to do to save his friend and the other fish. Two big fish got close to Arch and said:
- Bite the fish net! We can help you!
The three of them began to bite the next and before the fishermen pulled the net, they managed to make a hole at it. Friendly and several other fish were able to get out but unfortunately many others couldn’t.
What a story! Friendly and Arch thanked their new friends so much for their help. The two big fish said that place was very dangerous, as there were lots of boats around the area.
- Haven’t you been warned it’s too dangerous to swim around here? You were lucky we were passing by this place today. Thanked God!
Friendly blushed. She remembered her mom’s advice…. Arch felt quite ashamed of himself… They then asked what was the safest way to go back home.
Their new friends taught them how to get back home in safety. Friendly and Arch decided to swim as fast as they could back home.
As they swam, they remembered what just happened and promised never to swim that far…. They also promised themselves to obey their parents all the time!
[Click here]
to se drawings created by the Spiritist Teacher Cristina Chaves from Sociedade Espírita Casa do Caminho, Porto Alegre/RS.
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Dante is a black dog with white spots. He lives at home with his parents, Spoofy and Marley. They live in a house with a beautiful garden.
Dante is not a very obedient dog. He is always complaining and never wants to help at home. He doesn’t even enjoy taking a shower.
Spoofy always tells him:
- You need to take a shower, my son. If you stay dirty you will get sick. You will be full of fleas!
Even if he listened to his mom, he would not obey. He thought his parents were not right. He would then complain and hide underneath his table!
One day Dante decided to run away. He thought to himself: “If I run away I won’t have to take a shower anymore; I won’t need to obey anyone anymore.”
Off he went…. He walked for a long time, found other little dogs and played with them all day long. Night time came by really quickly and his new friends decided to go home. Dante was now left on his own, in a strange location with nowhere else to go. He wanted to go back home, he couldn’t find his way back. He was feeling hungry and cold… He then barked for a long time, complained but no one gave him attention.
The little dog then started thinking about his home, his parents’ kindness and regretted running away from home. He sat down at the pavement and started to cry. He was feeling scared. He then remembered to pray. He prayed asking God to help him go back home.
Some time later, he heard some barking near by:
- Dante! Dante!
His parents were searching and managed to find him. Dante was so happy to see them! He thanked God for His help and hugged them strongly. He promised to be an obedient son from now on and never run away from home again…
Claudia Schmidt
Drawings from Cleusa Lupatini – Spiritist Teacher- Grupo Espírita Seara do Mestre - Santo Ângelo/RS
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Drawings]
[Have fun]
[Beginning]
Once upon a time, there was a boy called Denis who was a very curious child. One day, he went to a farm with his family to meet the grandparents of his friend Peter. They lived at this beautiful place where there were lots of trees, flowers and different animals.
Denis saw animals he was never able to see before, so close to him: roosters, chickens, pigs, horses and even a green frog that was jumping around everywhere within the farm. When he saw the rooster, he felt so excited and curious at the same time. He wanted to know how the rooster communicated with the chickens. The sound made by the animal was different from the way Denis communicated, since the rooster had its own way of expressing itself (please ask the children: what sound does a rooster make?):
- Cock-a-doodle-doo...
Denis soon passed by a duck that also spoke but in a different way (please ask the children: What sound does a duck make?):
- Quack, quack, qua...
Denis then began to mimic the other animals and had a lot of fun (ask the children if they know the sound each of the other animals makes).
Denis then asked his mom:
- Mom, do all animals communicate with each other?
- Yes – his mom replied.
- Do they have nose, mouth and eyes?
- All animals were created by God that is a very kind Father. Every animal you have seen have a mouth to talk and ears to hear sounds: roosters, chickens, pigs, horses and the green frog. Each of them also has a nose to breath and sense different smells. They also have eyes to see the beautiful world which was created by God. Children, men and women have hands to grab objects and feel them, whereas animals have paws to do the same thing. These are all presents from God for His children…; us.
- Wow! There is so much to thank God for... What if I didn’t have a mouth? How would I eat? How would I be able to speak? If didn’t have ears… I wouldn’t be able to listen to the animals’ conversation. If I didn’t have a nose, how would I breathe? How would I be able to smell of flowers and the delicious food prepared by grandma? What about my eyes? They are so important... If I didn’t have eyes I would not be able to see the world... If I didn’t have any hands, how would I grab things, carry my toys and hold your hand to cross the street?
- That’s right my son. You should not forget to thank God for the physical body you have. It is a gift from God.
Mara Winsh and Claudia Schmidt
Drawings received from Eduarda Scholl, Spiritist Teacher at Grupo Espírita Seara do Mestre
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Have Fun]
[Drawings]
[Beginning]
Laisha was a very pretty little girl. She enjoyed playing with her dolls and running around the garden, following colorful butterflies.
She admired nature and loved all the animals that lived at the farm. She lived with her parents and her sister Lucy at a small cottage located in this place. The farm was quite distant from the city… There was a river nearby that had deep clean water… The water was so clean they could see fishes swimming through it. Every Sunday Laisha would go fishing with her mom to catch one so they could eat it for dinner.
Laisha really enjoyed the farm as well as spending time with her family. She would spend every afternoon together with her sister, whom she played with and observed nature.
The only problem was that Laisha wasn’t very obedient. She always thought her parents were teaching her useless things. She also believed it wasn’t necessary to obey them. She would also think house rules would not apply to her since she knew better than her parents what she should or should not do.
Laisha would get into trouble due to these attitudes: once she got completely soaked in the rain and got sick because she didn’t listen to her mom and decided to go to school without carrying her umbrella. One time, Laisha skipped class and decided to go for a swim in the river. She ended up breaking her arm and her mom found out she missed school on that day.
Laisha grew up and realized, little by little, that her parents taught interesting lessons and they wished her the best at all times. Whenever she didn’t follow her parents’ rules, she would find out later if she had obeyed, it would have been much better for her. One day, for example, she realized if she had heard her mom and studied for her exam, would have achieved a better grade.
Laisha also found out that saying the truth is much better than lying. Whenever she lied, her mom eventually would find out about it and feel really sad with her daughter’s attitude.
Time passed by and Laisha grew up. She then went to study in a different city. She learned to value her parents’ advices, now being away from home. Laisha would call them whenever possible to tell them what was going on in her life. Her mom would them give her good advice on the back of that.
Laisha is now married and has a daughter called Leah. She now teaches Leah the same lessons her mom used to teach her, with the same love and kindness. Leah doesn’t obey her mom sometimes either. Laisha is patiently talking to her and leading by example, showing her daughter the pathway to goodness. As time goes by, Leah will realize what we learn at home will be useful to us for the rest of our lives.
Amália Paz and Cláudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
This is Paula. She is a four year old girl who is very well educated, clever and full of energy.
Paula leaves with her parents, grandparents and little brother called Johnny. They had a dog and puppies living at her house.
One day she was playing with her dolls in the garden and saw that one of the puppies began to cry. Another puppy came over and began to lick the little puppy that then stopped crying. Paula felt quite curious as she didn’t understand why the puppy suddenly stopped crying.
She then decided to talk to her mom about it. She got inside the house and asked:
- Mommy, why did the puppy stop crying when the other puppy licked his face?
Her mom then decided to hold her and said:
- Pauli, we are a family, aren’t we? You, me, your dad, Johnny and your grandparents, right?
- That’s right mom. We are a family, a family that loves each other very much. We do have small disagreements sometimes but soon make peace.
- That’s right my daughter. Animals also belong to families. Here we have a family of dogs where there are the parents and the little puppies. The one you saw licking the little puppy was the father. When he saw his cub crying he decided to show his love to the puppy so felt loved and stopped crying. Every animal belongs to a family. Hen, rooster and small chicks belong to one family. The female, male and baby rabbits belong to another; just as the female, male and baby bird are one family. They also live together in a family unit, just like us. God has given us a family so we don’t live alone. He also gave a family to the animals so they can live happier.
Paula opened a smile, gave her mom a hug and said:
- Thank you mommy. I love you so much. I am so happy to have you as my family.
Off she went to play with her dolls...
Janaína Soares Schorr
Translator: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Have fun] [Have fun] [Beginning]
Arthur was an intelligent boy who was always interested in learning. On that week, he had an important homework: research about Allan Kardec.
He knew Kardec had organized the received lessons from elevated Spirits in five books: The Spirits’ book, The book on Mediums, The Gospel according to Spiritism, Heaven and Hell, The Genesis according to Spiritism. But he wanted to know more about him.
Arthur went to the library and there he read many interesting things and got surprised with Kardec’s intelligence, dedication, and goodness. So he thought Kardec was a pretty nice guy.
Suddenly, Arthur realized that he was in Lyon, France. It was 1804 and he saw a little baby who was born, called Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail. This boy grew up in a peaceful home; he was too much studious and polite.
Soon, the little boy became a teenager and was studying in Switzerland, with a different and wise professor called Pestalozzi. Hippolyte studied many things and became professor and writer.
Arthur saw Hippolyte coming back to France to teach Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy and Astronomy and write books. He also knew his wife, her name was Amélie, a charitable and a joyful teacher.
In 1855, Hippolyte started to study the phenomenon of "table-turning" that it was moved by the disincarnated spirits action. Arthur wanted to make questions to him, but Hippolyte was too much busy, researching and organizing the Spirits teaching, in many books; therefore he thought it was better no bother him.
The boy, realized that in the books, the author signed Allan Kardec as a nickname. Understanding thus, people wouldn’t think the books were been written by Hippolyte. Considering the teaching of these books came from disincarnated Spirits who communicated by mediums*. With this work, Kardec (Hippolyte) is well known as the Codifier of Spiritism***
Arthur saw in 1869 when Kardec disincarnated because he had a problem in his heart. He got happy to see many friends in the spiritual world when…
_ Wake up Arthur! Wake up!!
Arthur realized he was not in France…
He had slept in the library, in the middle of the books!
But his dream seemed to be so real…
* Medium is a person who is the intermediate between disincarnated and incarnated spirits.
** Codificator is a person who organizes things, like facts, books…
Translator: Viviane Ferreira
[Beginning]
- Yes, you came from monkeys!
- No, I didn’t! God created Adam and Eve!
This conversation was going on between two cousins. One of the boys was called Matthew. He was defending the theory of Creationism. This theory says God created man in his own image. The other boy was called Samuel. He was supporting the theory of the Evolution of Species. He highlighted that God created the Spirit, but the physical body has evolved through successive generations. We progressed from one of the primate species. The two cousins kept discussing this topic until…
Ida, their grandma, decided to get involved. She managed to find a solution:
- I propose a debate! – She said. This Sunday after lunch we will gather all our family together. Each of you will be able to expose your point of view about the creation of man.
The cousins agreed. They would have time to do their research and explain their thesis in greater detail.
On that coming Sunday, at the time agreed, Mathew began the debate:
- In the beginning, God created Heaven and Earth. He created the world in six days. On the seventh day He rested. It is said in the Bible, book Genesis.
The boy continued saying that God created Adam; from Adam He then created Eve. God created both in his own image. He expelled them from paradise because they didn’t obey as they ate the forbidden fruit. He read some parts of the Bible and quoted explanations from famous Theologists.
When he finished his explanation, Matthew was applauded by everyone but Leticia. She was Samuel’s younger sister. She then said, very seriously:
- I didn’t come from a rib. I am an immortal spirit.
Once the silence was re-established, Samuel began to talk:
- The six days that took for Earth to be created which are stated in the Old Testament refer to eras, periods of thousands of years. Adam and Eve are legendary characters who represent a group of Spirits. These where morally delayed spirits who had to reincarnate in planet Earth with the aim to progress spiritually.
Samuel also explained that God created the Universe from two elements: spirit and matter. Every human being is a spirit, created by God. We are reincarnate spirits who are temporarily in a physical body with the objective of progressing intellectually and spiritually.
- We reincarnate many times until we reach perfection. All spirits have been created under the same conditions by God and progress by the use of free-will. God was very wise and kind. He allowed us to evolve with our own merit. It would be unfair if God created perfect beings, called angels, and others destined to eternal evil and suffering. If we only had one reincarnation, how could we explain the difference between the human beings? Some of us are rich and poor; others have a perfect body whereas there are so many who are ill?
At this moment in time, Samuel paused. He had a serious look, but transmitted peace and confidence. The boy then continued:
- The physical bodies of the human beings and the monkeys have progressed from an earlier species. In a certain point of the evolution process, these species have followed different paths, as proved by science. This is the theory of the evolution of the species, which was explained by Charles Darwin; that is, the law of evolution, created by God manifesting itself. This evolution of the material body happened in several areas of the planet at different times, which explains the diversity of the existent races. If we think for a moment, it would be mathematically impossible to justify the number of people that inhabit the planet Earth presently. The existence of Adam and Eve is quite short to have enabled all these beings to be now incarnate in Earth, as the Bible preaches. Let’s not forget that at a certain period of time there was a worldwide deluge. Only Noah, his family and the animals survived from it... Have you ever stopped to think how humanity would expand coming from three individuals only: Adam, Eve and Cain?
Those statements brought lots of questions to the people who were present in the room. One of his uncles was quite interested by the argument given by the little boy. He then asked:
- Is the Bible wrong?
- No – Samuel answered. We just can’t interpret it as we read it. There are many explanations which are allegoric and should be studied under the light of the human knowledge from the present time.
Samuel finished his talk saying that he considered himself to be Creationist-Evolutionist; that is, we were created simple and ignorant by God. Through evolution and our different reincarnations, we will reach spiritual plenitude. He was also applauded by the audience.
No one left the room, as the relatives were keen to hear further arguments from the cousins. These rules were established previously for this discussion.
At the end of the discussion, the final applauses were directed to Mrs. Ida, who congratulated her grandchildren for such a brilliant presentation. She reminded them that this debate should be seen as an example. Even if they have different beliefs, there was respect and harmony amongst the group.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
In a toy store, I stopped in front of its show case: I’ve always wanted to have a water gun!
Looking at the price. I got really happy! It was not an expensive toy. I was positive that my parents could buy it for me…
For my surprise, my mother hasn’t wanted to give me the water gun. And neither my dad.
_ Why not? It’s really cheap…
_ It’s really cheap, my dad smiled, but we are not going to buy a gun for you!
_ It’s not a gun, dad! It’s a water gun! It just shouts water! And it is made from plastic.
Then we sit down and talk.
We don’t like seeing wars, robberies, murders. But we think so normal kids playing with swords, guns, pistols, slingshots… It supposes to be normal fighting games, where who kills more people win the game. It’s also common on TV, violent cartoons about wars against monsters and others enemies…
The adults encourage the violence: they make the war toys, movies and aggressive games.
Toys always show some message, teaching something. When we play, we are “teaching” the real life: playing circle we learn give our hands, playing with guns we learn the violence.
I’ve started to think. I don’t like fights, wars, violence… I want to live in a happy world, where people help each other, living in peace. Acting like that, a toy gun, wouldn’t help me in anything! There are a lot of better things to play…
So, I got happy, because my parents have taught me the peace. Nowadays I choose the best program on TV, analyze the games I’m going to play with my friends, and we decide that we are going to play peace.
Leticia Müller
Translation: Viviane Ferreira
[Beginning]
Mrs. Molly is a very sweet lady. She is also very pretty. She lives in a house with a gorgeous garden. Her husband’s name is Mr. Joseph and they have two children: Fiona and Aidan.
One day, as Mrs. Molly got home from work, she heard a noise: it seemed to be a meowing. She went outside to check what was going on and met a pretty girl kitten, sitting by the front door. It seemed that the kitten was asking for help.
Mrs. Molly, who loves animals and had three of them in her childhood, picked the kitten up, patted her, fed her and gave her some water.
The children, who were also very fond of cats, adored the new family member. Everyone started to take care of Dorothee, as they named her. Dorothee loved her new home! Mrs. Molly made her a bed and every day before going to work, Dorothee would walk through her legs.
As time went by, Mrs. Molly figured out that Dorothee was growing fat and her womb was becoming bigger and bigger: she was pregnant. Then, on a Saturday morning, Dorothee gave birth to three pretty kittens. Dorothee took care of them, feeding and licking them. Fiona and Aidan prepared a bed for the kittens but they all wanted to sleep with their mother.
When the kittens were born, the family didn’t give them a name right away. Each one of them took the responsibility to take care of each cat. Mrs. Molly continued to be responsible for Dorothee. Fiona was interested in taking care of the black kitten with white stripes. Aidan wanted the smallest one, which was almost all black, and Mr. Joseph was the protector of the white kitten. This way, because they still didn’t have their names, they were called Mr. Joseph’s cat, Aidan’s cat, and Fiona’s cat.
It was hard for the family to decide about the cats names. For this reason, after some weeks from their birth, on a hot summer night, they all gathered on the garden to choose their names. It was a special night: Mrs. Molly prepared hot dogs for everyone, and milk for the cats, including Dorothee who was laying on the grass observing everything.
While the family tried to decide about the names, Dorothee would listen attentively. When she didn’t like a name they chose, she would stay still. When they said a nice name, she would walk through Mrs. Molly’s leg. So, Fiona’s cat was now called Nina, Aidan’s cat was called Aquene and Myleen was the name given to Mr. Joseph’s cat.
The kittens grew strong and pretty. They were taken to the veterinary surgeon, and were already vaccinated. Mrs. Molly and her family are aware of the importance of taking proper care of pets, being loving to them because they are God’s present to human beings.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Ana Claudia Monteiro Silva - Canadá.
[Beginning]
Today was going to be a different day for Andre and Philip. Their mom was called Adriana; she decided to explain the importance of the Gospel at Home practice to her children:
- Did you know that our house has an alarm to protect us against robbery? In order to protect our home from the bad influence from spirits who want to inspire negative thoughts, as well as pay close attention to our thoughts and actions, we practice the Gospel at Home every week.
She also said this is the time when the family members unite together to pray and study Jesus’ teachings. The main purpose of these gatherings is to awake and strengthen sentiments of fellowship in the family and among our friends. It should be done at a chosen day and time during the week when as many members of the family as possible can be present. This day and time should be kept the same every week, because the spiritual benefactors also have a very busy schedule in the Spiritual World. Respecting this time and day also demonstrates our respect for the superior spirits who are in charge of helping us at that time.
- This is the day when Jesus comes to spend the night in our house! – Adriana added.
Andre found it really interesting to have such a special guest at home. He decided to take part at the gathering without complaining at all.
They began with a short spontaneous prayer. Their mom explained that the prayer helps the ambient and the people to become harmonized. We also ask for protection for our study, for the presence of the Spiritual Benefactors and help to assimilate the study.
The next step was to read a passage from The Gospel According To Spiritism, by Allan Kardec. Therefore, Adriana decided to use The Gospel According to Spiritism for Young Adults and Beginners *:
- We are going to read a passage from this book. – She explained.
The boys were quite interested in the parable, as they never heard it before. After they read the Gospel, brief commentaries were made about the reading, always seeking the essence of the teachings and applying then to daily life. They learned new lessons on this day.
The next step was to send good vibrations to the people who needed material or spiritual help. Their mom said to the children that to vibrate for someone is the same as sending good thoughts. She also said that our prayers can include thoughts for our planet, for the varying countries, for hospitals, for particular areas of need that week, any person in need of special help at the moment, world peace and fraternity amongst all men. Andre decided to pray for a colleague who was sick and Philip for a friend whose dad was now in jail. The mother sent good vibrations on behalf of a colleague from work that was going through a difficult time.
The meeting was closed with a prayer, during which they thanked for the teachings received. They also drank the water which was previously placed on the table during the study and then distributed after the closing prayer. This water contains good fluids for the family.
Adriana, little by little, managed to motivate Andre and Philip to participate at the Gospel at Home practice. She knew these moments of learning and love are very important for the spiritual education of her children.
* The Gospel According to Spiritism for Young Adults and Beginners Overview: Despite the many manners of interpreting Jesus’ teachings, which vary according to the different religions based on him, the moral taught by the Master of Galilee should not be a reason for disputes. Starting with this premise, Allan Kardec, the originator of Spiritism, with the help of the spirits that accompanied him in his work, analyzed the most important and some of the most controversial teachings of Jesus. In this manner The Gospel According to Spiritism, one of the most important works of the Spiritist philosophy, was born. Though initially written for the adult audience, after a brilliant adaptation by Laura Bergallo, it is now launched with the purpose of reaching a younger target audience.
Title: The Gospel According to Spiritism for Young Adults and Beginners
Author: Laura Bergallo
Pages: 171
Cláudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Have fun] [Beginning]
Leticia was looking around her families pictures and found one of her parents’ wedding. She was quite surprised to see her mom dressed as a bride, with a long white dress, veil and a beautiful bouquet of white flowers.
Soon later she had a question… She saw the difference between her mom’s wedding dress and the one that was bought for her sister’s wedding who was just about to get married. She then questioned her mom:
- Mom, why isn’t my sister getting married in the church, with veil and tiara, just as you did?
- Your sister and her fiancé are spiritists just like us. Spiritists don’t follow any rituals such as baptism or wedding ceremonies as the other religious do.
- Oh, I see. My sister is not getting married. She is just going to live together with her fiancé – Leticia said.
- No my daughter – Sonia explained. They will have a civil wedding in the presence of a judge. The judge is someone who gets people married in accordance with the civil laws that rule the society we live in. Your sister will get married, but there will be no religious ceremony.
Leticia was satisfied with the answer she was given by her mom Sonia. She was a very curious girl and had yet another question:
- But mom, you and dad are spiritists. Why did you get married in the church?
- Your dad and I were brought up in another religion. When we got married, the religious ceremony meant a lot to us. Some time later, we got to know Spiritism. We then understood that God blesses the union of the ones who love and respect each other, without the need rituals or external forms of worship.
- Is that why me and my sisters were not baptized?
- Yes, that’s right. That’s why you take part on weekly spiritist education classes for children and youth at the spiritist centre. You don’t go to catechesis’ classes as most of your friends do. We don’t ‘graduate’ in Spiritism. The Spiritist Doctrine needs to be studied during all our...
- During all our life! I know that! - Leticia interrupted her mom, feeling quite confident with her answer. We need to study the Spiritist Doctrine all the time since it explains Jesus’ message. He is our Guide and Model.
Sonia was amazed. How did her daughter learn to say such beautiful words? In the meantime, Leticia thought:
- Thank God our spiritist teacher always reminds us of these things. Mom seems to look quite surprised. She thinks I know so much about Spiritism.
Carina Streda
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Have fun] [Answer Have fun] [Beginning]
Gospel at Home practice is a weekly moment in which the family reunites together to learn Jesus’ teachings, pray and also send good vibrations for the ones who are in need. On that night, after the initial prayer, Fabio read an extract of THE WIDOW'S MITE from The Gospel According to Spiritism (Chapter 13; items 5 and 6).
- I think I didn’t understand it quite well, Suzy said.
- I will try to tell this parable in a different way – Jade said. Once there was a very rich girl who had many clothes. When she didn’t like her clothes anymore, she would place them in a big chest; when the chest got full she donated her clothes to an orphanage but always waited for people to thank her.
- There was another girl who didn’t have many toys – her father continued. She usually played with the children in an orphanage that was located near her house. She took some of her toys sometimes and donated them to other children who had less than her. She didn’t expect gratitude; she donated the toys with love.
- Which one of them practices real charity? The girl who donates things she doesn’t want anymore but also waits for gratefulness or the girl who donates less, but with love?
Before anyone could answer his question, her dad continued:
- What about the other poor girl? Can she offer charity to anyone?
- What can she give if she doesn’t have anything? – Suzy asked.
- Love, kindness, attention, and respect –her mom said. She could also visit a sick person; help a friend, practice goodness with love.
As they talked, they understood real charity is the one we practice with love; without waiting anything in return. It is possible to do it by donating material things and through our thoughts, words and actions.
They continued sending good vibrations for people in general to understand and practice real charity. They finished the Gospel at Home practice with a final prayer. It was once again an important moment of family union, love and learning from one another.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Have fun] [Answer Have fun] [Beginning]
One day a group of friends decided to go to the cinema. The movie they saw was great. The group of friends left the venue feeling quite excited and commenting on the most important scenes. They decided to go back home walking, even if their parents had asked them previously not to do so. That was a beautiful and pleasant night; they also wanted to talk more. There were two ladies and three guys in this group. They were all friends from childhood and lived in the same neighborhood. When one of the girls said she was concerned the streets were quite dangerous and dark, the rest of the group said it was ok to go back home walking at that time.
They started to walk back home. When they were getting close to their final destination, two guys who looked quite suspicious passed by them quite quickly. They were wearing too many clothes even if it was quite a warm night. They stopped right ahead of the group, right in front of a building that was being constructed. They turned around and attacked the group of young friends. It was a robbery!
- Give us your mobiles, money and watches. Stay still! If you don’t react nothing bad will happen!
They asked for their caps and tennis shoes.
The robbers were just as young as the group, but the gun showed that the life, interests and destinies of both groups were quite different.
One of the robbers said, as the group was handing their belongings to thieves:
- I want all your belongings, but not from him! – He then pointed at Fabio.
The robber then continued talking:
- He is the son of Prof. Carmen. She is cool. She was nice to me when she was my teacher in the 5th grade!
Apart from the shock and the material losses, everyone was left intact. Fabio arrived back home and told his mom what happened. She was scared and happy at the same time as the group was safe. She thought to herself she always treated her students with love and respect, no matter the color of their skin; social or financial background. Life was more difficult at the public schools and at the poorest neighborhoods. Everyone deserved her love and consideration. She felt rewarded for all the goodness practiced to those children, even if she never expected anything in return as she was doing what was right for her.
Certainly that young robber hasn’t yet made good use of the teachings of love, since he was involved in crimes. But something good was kept inside of his heart. She was one of the people responsible for that. Sooner or later, that little seed will fructify.
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Veronica didn’t enjoy house duties. She found it daunting to have to do her bed every morning, wash the dishes used from breakfast and tidy up her room.
She also believed that helping with the house duties is a waste of time. She thought these activities had no importance. She felt that looking after the house was her mom’s duty; after all, she is one who is responsible for the house.
Vanessa, Veronica’s mom, works full-time in a company. She works from 1pm to 8pm every working day.
In the morning, Vanessa looks after the house, does the washing up and prepares lunch. By the time she gets home at night, she is already really tired. After preparing dinner and washing the dishes, she would usually sit down with her daughter and check her studies. Vanessa always asked Veronica what she learned during the day as well and how she behaved at school.
One Friday morning, Vanessa heard her daughter screaming:
- I hate doing my bed! I don’t want to tidy up my room! I am on strike!
Vanessa felt really sad. She had already explained that each one of them had their own tasks to fulfil and that collaboration is important. But it now seems like Veronica doesn’t understand.
Her mom then made a decision: she didn’t clean the house, wash or iron the clothes, or even prepare lunch.
Veronica noticed the house was quite untidy, there were many toys spread around the room and there were dirty clothes in the bathroom. But she didn’t consider picking up her toys or just placing dirty clothes at the clothing basket.
When it was time to get ready to go to school, Veronica realised her school uniform wasn’t ironed. She complained, but her mom didn’t say anything.
She also realised her mom didn’t prepare any lunch this time. She wasn’t sure what was going on; she then heard her mom saying:
- Make yourself a sandwich for lunch.
She was feeling quite lost. She then managed to prepare a sandwich and get some juice for her to drink.
Vanessa had to leave for work soon. The girl picked up her bag to go to school and realised there was no snack ready for her to take to school. Her mom would usually prepare something before leaving the house.
That afternoon seemed to be much longer for Veronica. She thought about her mom’s attitude. Maybe she was sick. What would happen to her if her mom was really sick? Who would look after the house and the dog?
When Veronica got back home from school, everything was in such a mess. No one took the rubbish outside. Bob, the dog, was barking because there was no water left in his pot to drink. Veronica started to get concerned. She decided to offer water to her dog, since she liked him very much and knew we must treat animals with respect and love.
The little girl decided to watch TV for the entire time while waiting for her mom to get back from work. When Vanessa arrived, she soon went upstairs to take a shower. Veronica knocked on the door, complaining she was hungry. Her mom asked her to wait.
Some time later, Vanessa came out of the shower and sat on the couch which was located in the living room. She put her feet up and relaxed for a few seconds. Veronica then asked:
- Are you not going to prepare dinner?
- No, I am on strike. – Her mom said, quite serious.
The girl looked around the house and saw it was quite messy. She remembered she didn’t have any lunch, her school uniform was not neat and she didn’t have any snack this afternoon. She also realised her dog was also missing Vanessa’s care.
Veronica went red. She remembered she didn’t do the dishes or tidy up her room because she wanted to go on strike. She now realised the amount of things her mom does on a regular basis, and how important these tasks are.
The girl apologised to her mom. They both decided to suspend the strike. Veronica realised that sharing the house duties and doing her part without complaining would help her mom and collaborate for the harmony of the house. From this day, Vanessa and Veronica had more time to go for walks and play together. They were even able to spend more time with Bob, which became very pleasant for everyone.
Claudia Schmidt
Click here to find drawings were created by Nícolas – children from 3rd cycle (11 to 12 years old)
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Once upon a time, on a beautiful and sunny Sunday afternoon, there was city where the birds and butterflies were flying and all animals were happily playing. Johnny was a little boy who always enjoyed playing with his friend Antonio.
They were playing on that day; suddenly, Johnny said to his friend Antonio:
- Why don’t we enjoy this beautiful day and get some apples from Mr. Joaquin’s garden?
Antonio got really excited with the idea. He then said:
- Cool! Let’s go! I want to eat some of those wonderful apples!
There they went. The boys ran into the garden, but before they looked around to check if no one was watching them. They then managed to get inside the garden and climb on the apple trees.
Johnny said:
- Look, Antonio! These fruit look delicious!
- They are so tasty!
Antonio’s eyes were shinning. He then replied:
- It’s true! It’s great we can eat for free. Let’s eat as many apples as we can and then take some home with us.
That’s what they did. They ate as many apples as they could and then picked up some others to take with them. The boys suddenly saw a little girl who was coming closer to them.
It was Annie, Mr. Joaquin’s niece.
They felt a bit scared but then thought: it’s just a girl!
Annie came closer to them and asked:
- Who are you? What are you doing at my uncle’s garden?
They then answered with a very low tone of voice:
- We came here to eat some apples.
- Did you ask for my uncle’s permission? – Annie asked.
They looked at each other and said that no one was watching them.
Annie pointed out to the sky and pointed out:
- God is watching us. He knows everything we do; we are responsible for our attitudes.
Johnny and Antonio now felt quite ashamed. Johnny then said:
- You are right, Annie. God can see everything we do. We should act correctly next time.
Antonio took the courage and apologized to Mr. Joaquin. From that day onwards they always asked for permission first before talking things that don’t belong to them. They now respect other people’s property.
Carla Kitzmann
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Suggestions:
The cricket Anteon was a really nice guy. He was known by many animals since he usually went for long walks in the middle of the night through the forest in order to get to know other animals and meet new people.
Claudia Schmidt
- The spiritist teacher can tell the story "with interference ". The story is then told with the active participation of the children, engaging them. The words in bolt could be turned into questions so the spiritist teacher could ask as he/she tells the story to check if the children know the meaning of these words.
- Use the drawings from the 6th moment which could be coloured and used to tell the story. As the spiritist teacher tells the children the story, he/she can attach the character mentioned into a small panel creating the scenery for the story.
- Use the drawings created by Sherazade Gomes as a panel, a clothes-line or a cinema ambient to be able to tell the story.
The Forest was a beautiful place, full of beautiful flowers and trees. There were also all different types of food in the forest: plants, fruits and a beautiful lake where clean water could be drank. The cricket Anteon lived just by the river in a beautiful house which was built by him. He had many neighbours who also lived by the river and were his friends.
On the opposite side of the river lived a frog called Walter, who was a hard worker that enjoyed staying at home reading and listening to music.
One night Anteon decided to go for a walk at a place he never went before. He heard that on the east side of the Forest lived a bird called Jingo. This bird knew exactly when it would rain. He loved to know the weather forecasting!
Everything was going wit Anteon so far. He kept walking and singing. Therefore, out of a sudden, the moon disappeared and everything went dark. Anteon wasn’t afraid of the dark and continued with his walk. He then felt something weird under his feet... The soil felt quite different...
- Help! – Anteon screamed. Help!
He had fallen into a swamp. Swamp is a place where the soil is humid and animals can drown until they die suffocated! The swamp is surrounded by wire fence, but it was really dark outside which is why Anteon didn’t see the danger.
Anteon managed to find strength to pray for his guardian angel at that moment of difficulty. He then continued to scream:
- Help! I am drowning!
What a tragic destiny for Anteon! He was really frightened. He then heard:
- Where are you?
- Here – the cricket shouted back. Who would that be? – Anteon thought to himself.
It was Walter the frog, who passed by. He was on his way to get a book from his friend Diogenes, the frog, who lived in that part of the Forest.
Walter then saw the cricket. He got close but not too close. Otherwise, the frog would also fall into the swamp. He then got a stick and offered it to the cricket.
Anteon was then able to hold it tight and Water managed to pull the cricket from the swamp.
The little cricket was so thankful for the frog’s help. Walter saved his life!
They soon started talking and became good friends.
On that night they went together to the bird Jingo’s house. They became aware of the weather forecast. On their way back, they got the book from Diogenes, Walter’s friend.
They found out both of them enjoy music a lot. Anteon lent some CD’s to Walter, who was very grateful. They decided to start singing and practicing together so they could sing at the Spring Party which was help in the Forest.
Everything started with a collaborative attitude which came from Water…. He knew that helping his fellow creature feels good for the person who helps and gets help.
Click here to find drawings created by Sherazade Gomes – Spiritist Teacher - Centro Espírita Francisco de Assis - Eunápolis/BA
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
The school’s annual competition involved the following question: “Who is the most important human being in the world?” The best answer would get a scholarship for the following school year. Tina really wanted to win this competition because her family was going through financial difficulties. That prize would help them a lot.
She decided to face the challenge and go for it! The first place she went to was the Local Library, but there were hundreds of biographies of important men and women. They were all very important for humanity. Tina made some notes, but didn’t find the answer she was looking for.
She then decided to search on the internet. She looked around many sites, but didn’t find the information she wanted. She then decided to ask her mom:
- Jesus! – This was the answer she heard from her mother. He changed the world. History and the counting of time changed since He came to Earth. The world is divided between before and after his presence. His teachings are very important for humanity.
It was, without a doubt, a very interesting answer. Tina remembered soon later that Jesus would never consider himself to be the most important human being in the world. Although He is our model and guide, the most perfect being that ever incarnate in Earth, Jesus is humble. He said everything he did and does we can do too because we are all brothers, sons of God, a very kind and wise Father.
She then remembered several other individuals who dedicated their lives to help others: Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Allan Kardec, Chico Xavier, Divaldo Franco; they are all examples of love to others.
- That’s it! - Tina said out loud. I know who the most important human being in the world is!
She then elaborated the following answer, which allowed her to win the scholarship:
"As taught by Jesus, the most important human being is my fellow creature; the one who needs me and gives me the opportunity to do charity through my thoughts, words and actions. Considering the one next to me as the most important human being in the world, I should respect, love and practice goodness, progressing towards God, our Father."
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Activity]
[Beginning]
There were various clouds located at the top of the beautiful clear blue sky. Lalla, Lily and Lulu were three clouds that were very close friends. They usually went out for walks together.
They played hide and seek. They also enjoyed pretending to be animals and objects to amuse the children who lived in Earth. Have you ever noticed that the clouds sometimes form the shape of animals and other things we know?
They also change their colouring when they play. They can become grey, pink and blue. They also play tag with their friend Wind.
Lalla, Lily and Lulu coloured the sky beautifully. They would spend their afternoons playing and observing children playing around. From time to time they had to fulfil their main task: fill their cheeks with water vapour and make it rain. The three little friends watched people, animals and nature from far distance benefiting from the rain that was generated by them. They felt so happy for being useful, as everything in nature does.
The three little friends know rain is important for watering and letting plants grow. They are also important for flowers, trees and rivers. This is where animals and human beings take water from to drink and bathe. When it’s hot and rains slightly, the day feels much more pleasant and fresh… It’s so nice! They also enjoy watching the children bathing in the rain!
Human beings haven’t been protecting the nature as they should lately. They are cutting down trees and polluting rivers and forests. It is becoming more difficult for the clouds to store water vapours to make it rain. When there is a long period without rain, everything looks dry and with no colour: plants, flowers, fields...
The three little friends remembered on the other day the last time they managed to make it rain: they received the visit of their friend the rainbow! It was great and fun afternoon!
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
- Do you know the latest, Mr. Lion?
It was the ostrich. The animal was ‘sharing’ the news everyone in the zoo was talking about: the giraffe’s disappearance.
The Lion didn’t say anything. The giraffe was no longer at her yard by the time it was daylight. The animal disappeared without telling anyone. Each animal in the zoo had a different version of the story; they were all talking non-stop...
Some animals said the Giraffe was sick and tired of the boring life at the zoo; it decided to ran away. Some others said it was kidnapped. They even imagined the zoo would have to pay a high price to see the Giraffe once again (even if no one asked for any paying so far!)...
The Hippo was really good friend with the Giraffe; he was suffering a lot from all that talking that was going on at the zoo. He was imagining the danger his friend was going through. He even thought he might be the cause of his friend’s disappearance: What if he said something that hurt his friend, since she was quite sensitive? Maybe that’s why she ran away?
The Lion was a very sensate animal and realised the Hippo’s agony. He then called him to have a chat.
- Listen, my friend….. Be careful with what these animals talk about. No one has seen anything; no one knows for sure what happened. They don’t have much to do most of the time around here. The animals end up talking about others’ lives and coming up with abrupt conclusions, gossiping around...
They were abruptly interrupted by an ant who was jumping around; it wanted to be listened to:
- I saw it! I saw it! I saw a truck from the circus here at the zoo!
Everyone now started to talk constantly to one another. The animals were now sure: the disappearance of the Giraffe would now be sorted! It was now clear to them the Giraffe would now be sent to work at the circus! How did they not think of this option before? They started to spread around the news throughout the zoo.
The Hippo and the Lion stayed still. The Hippo was crying a little bit because his friend didn’t say good-bye to him….
For everyone’s surprise, the Giraffe appeared some time later. She then explained during the night she was taken to the dentist. Her mouth was anesthetized; she couldn’t speak much. Her tooth hurt a lot… The doctor of the zoo realised that and decided to take her away immediately.
And the Hippo believed in all that confusion created by the other animals of the zoo! He then understood what the Lion explained to him: It’s necessary to reflect a lot about what others talk to us first, instead of just assuming that to be right – otherwise, you might end up gossiping and lying around...
Letícia Müller
[Click here] to find drawings created by the spiritist teacher Cristina Chaves, from the Spiritist Society Casa do Caminho, Porto Alegre/RS.
[Click here] to find a PowerPoint with the same drawings that could also be used for this class.
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Have fun]
[Answer have fun]
[Beginning]
Elisa wanted her holidays to come as soon as possible, since she wanted to visit her cousin Antonia at the farm. When this day finally arrived, her auntie came to pick her up. She was so excited to go to the farm she even forgot to say good-bye to her parents.
When they arrived at the farm, Antonia realised Elisa didn’t say “good afternoon” to her uncle Eugene or even to the people who worked on the place. The days passed by… The girls played, went out on horse rides and swam in the lake.
There was something that was making Antonio feel quite curious about: Elisa never said the magic words “please” when she asked for something and “thank you” when she got something as a favour. Besides, when Elisa did something wrong, she never said “I am sorry”. Antonia never heard Elisa say “excuse me” when she entered her room or interrupted the adults when they were talking.
She realised Elisa didn’t know the magic words, which are signs of good education. Auntie Augusta and Cousin Antonia came up with a plan: they distributed colourful notes around the house with situations where the magic words could be used.
There were notes in the kitchen saying:
"Can you please pass me the sugar?"
"I am sorry I am late for work."
"Thank you for making my favourite desert."
There were notes in the living room saying:
"Can you please reach me the cushion?"
"Thank you for telling me a story."
"I am sorry I stepped on your foot."
There were notes in Antonia’s room saying:
"Thank you for lending me your book."
"I am sorry I hurt you."
"Can you please pass me that toy?"
When Elisa saw all those notes spread around the house, she found them quite funny. Her cousin then explained this was a new way for everyone at home to learn how to use the magic words.
- Magic words? What are these? I have no idea what these words mean – Elisa said.
- Please, thank you, excuse me, sorry are the magic words – her cousin said. The notes were everywhere so we can learn to use these words all the time with everyone.
This is how Elisa learned the magic words: with notes from different sizes and colours.
Elise arrived back home and decided to teach her mom and her little brothers to use the magic words she learned at the house of her Auntie Augusta and Cousin Antonia.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Once upon a time, the animals were called for a very urgent meeting. The topic to be discussed was: the increased heat and the lack of water in the Forest. Most of the species were present at the meeting. This reunion took place on one of the hottest days of the summer.
The Lion king was the one who began with the debates. The animal explained that heat was a consequence from the so called greenhouse effect. The more heat that gets trapped in the Earth, the harmer the planet will become; which will in turn, lead to weather changes throughout the world.
- This huge heat increase is being caused by the pollution coming from industries and cars; plus, from the destruction of trees and the pollution of rivers.
- I have heard the heat will increase even further – The zebra highlighted. Many animals and plants could become extinct! More rain, hurricanes, tornados and thunderstorms are going to come! There will be places where there will be no water or food left!
There was general buzz going around. All animals started to talk at the same time. No one understood each other.
Mother giraffe started to panic at this moment in time:
- Oh God! What will happen to our children? The world is going to end!
- Where will we reincarnate if the world ends? I want to continue progressing so much... – a boa constrictor, which was feeling quite distressed, added.
Everyone started to talk at the same time once again. Some seemed to be very worried, whereas others were whispering around, thinking about what would happen.
- Let’s take it easy, guys! – The Lion king said out loud. We need to be quiet in order to continue with our meeting!
The jaguar asked a question when every one started to feel calmer again:
- What about us? What can we do to save the planet?
- Well spotted, my dear friend – the owl said. We are all responsible for the planet we leave for our children and for ourselves, if we expect to reincarnate over here one more time. We can change our present reality, if each one of us does his own tasks.
- Can you please explain it better? – The lion king asked.
- We can all do little things, which will make a huge difference. For example: recycle. We could spend less paper, avoiding the falling of many trees.
- We could save electricity. Let’s not waste water either – the frog said.
- We could also go to work by foot, by bus, by bike or even get a ride from someone! – The fox said out loud.
There were many ideas coming through from the animals in regards to saving the nature. Each animal promised to do its part in order to avoid global warming. They created a commission on this day which would go to a factory that was near by to talk to the directors about ways of avoiding pollution. They used that chance as an opportunity to talk about the use of solar energy, which is more economic and less pollutant.
One year later, there was a big party in the forest. It was called the PARTY FOR ENVIRONMENT PRESERVATION. The animals celebrated all the results achieved and set up new targets related to the preservation of the forest. The party was full of joy. They decided to make this an annual event, which repeated for many, many years...
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
- Happy birthday! Make good use of life!
Beth couldn’t stop thinking about this last sentence: “Make good use of life!” Her auntie was the one who gave her this advice, but left the party a while ago. The little girl was not able to ask what she meant by this phrase.
Beth is now ten years old. She got a computer as a birthday present. She was soon putting her computing classes into practice; she was even sending and receiving e -mails.
One day she was sitting in front of the computer and had an idea. She decided to ask all her contacts the following question: “What does make good use of life mean to you?”
She then started to receive lots of answers; which varied from one another:
“To go on holiday and go fishing!” – Her uncle, whom she adored very much, replied to her. Therefore, the little girl didn’t like to go fishing. She thought this concept was not good enough.
“To go partying and drink loads!” – Her older cousin replied. Beth couldn’t go out at night since she was too young. Even if she was older, she wouldn’t go drinking. Her parents taught her alcoholic drinks are not healthy for our physical body.
“For me it means to do nothing; to rest!” – It was written on one of the e-mails received. “How odd!” – Beth thought for a moment. “I don’t like to sit still; I feel so bored! Plus, mom complains I bother her when I do that; she usually asks me to do something then.”
“To travel; to see the world!” – Her older sister replied; she was now studying and living in a different city. Yes, travelling is good but not all the time. Beth thought it‘s also good to be home with friends and family...
“To have enough cash to buy everything I want!” – This was the response of her best friend. This really surprised her. She could now realize a lot of people answered that material things such as cash, new car, social status and trips are more important than anything else.
One of the answers received was quite different, though. It said:
“To make good use of life is to be with whom you like; doing what you enjoy.”
Beth liked this e-mail, but preferred this one even more:
“The concept of making good use of life varies from person to person. It depends on the values that are important for each individual: for some it will be family, fun, money, trips, etc. for others it could be non material things. We are immortal spirits and are incarnate in Earth with the objective of learning to love, forgive, to have a close relationship with our family, to practice goodness. Did you know we are just like birds? We have two wings: the wing of wisdom, which represents the intellectual knowledge we should search through study and work; and the wing of love, which is the practice of charity, forgiveness, patience, comprehension, respect, and many other eternal values taught by Jesus.”
This e-mail finished off saying it was down to Beth to define making good use of life means to her. She should not forget we are spirits created by God who are passing through Earth, with the mission of learning to love and progressing.
Beth read the e-mail and decided to keep it. She was inspired by her protector-spirit. This e-mail helped her to understand what her auntie meant to say at her birthday.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Lucas was spending some days at his cousin’s house August; he was on holiday from school. They are really good friends; they enjoy spending time together playing and having fun. Therefore, something caught August’s attention: Lucas usually says some words he is not used to hearing. August thought they were silly to be said.
One day the boys went to the club. Lucas bumped into a boy by mistake and soon said:
- Sorry.
August thought the boys were going to fight, but he was surprised to see the other boy’s response:
- That’s ok.
Soon later they went to the club’s entrance. There were some boys standing at the front door, hindering the entrance. Lucas said calmly:
- Excuse me, we need to get in.
It was just like magic! – August saw the boys immediately moving to one side; letting him and Lucas getting into the club’s canteen.
When they arrived at the front balcony, August heard Lucas saying:
- Two soft drinks, please.
Lucas smiled at the bar tender once he got the drinks, paid for it and said:
- Thank you.
August watched everything carefully. He started to get interested in using those unknown words to him; it seems the other people enjoyed listening to them as well. August asked his cousin, as they were drinking their soft drinking and watching what was going on at the club:
- My mom always says I should say please and thank you. But it’s so hard to remember! How can you use these words so often, Lucas?
- I find it easy. In the beginning it requires attention and effort. As time goes by, it gets easier because you realize these words are magic.
- Magic?
- Yes, they are magic. The words “open doors”. Didn’t you realize that?
- Well, it’s true you were able to get into the canteen by saying excuse me. – August said.
- The four words: Excuse me, Please, Sorry and Thank you are magic because they open the doors of the hearts for good-will and respect amongst people.
Since his cousin seemed quite interested in the subject, Lucas continued talking:
- Please think for a moment. Which option sounds more pleasant to your ears: “Two drinks!” or “Two drinks, please!”?
- The second option, for sure.
- That’s why using these words is cool; it shows you are an educated person.
The two cousins continued talking about this subject. Lucas recalled various situations where the magic words can be used. The boys concluded that, besides saying them, listening to others saying these words is also quite cool.
- Thank you for this lesson – August said smiling back at his cousin.
- You are welcome. See? You have already started using magic!
It didn’t take long for August to realize these four magic words could open doors to a more pleasant life. He just needed to pay a bit of attention; soon these words became natural to him. This was good not just for him but also for everyone; he now has more friends and is considered to be a well educated child.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Rodrigo’s eyes shined when he saw the gift sent by his aunt: a brand new skate.
He got the skate, put a foot over it, and… fell! After this, he realised that just beside the skate there was a helmet, two knee pads, two elbow pads and an envelope. He put the on the safety equipments and discovered that inside the envelope there was a letter from his aunt. In the letter his aunt was congratulating him for his birthday and reminding him that riding a skate can be rather dangerous and therefore it required something that Rodrigo had to develop: patience. The letter also stated that for Rodrigo to fully enjoy his gift, he would have to use the formula: E=S+E+W+P. This formula was better explained in three blue notes, which were properly numbered, and he should open one note per day, starting with the first one, in order to get the message right.
The boy found everything very weird, but since he really liked his aunt and her fun ideas, he decided to do exactly as she suggested.
So he first opened the first note. It was written this: EVOLUTION = STUDY + E + W + P. Right below it, in small letters, he read: Watch the good examples.
* “What was that? A mathematical formula?” asked Rodrigo.
* “I think your aunt is trying to teach you how to ride a skate” said his mother.
* “How is that so?” asked Rodrigo.
* His mother continued: “Studying is a way to achieve evolution, so his aunt could be referring to learn how to ride the skate.
So Rodrigo was really puzzled. He understood the part concerning EVOLUTION, but what did STUDY have to do with skate? He wasn’t aware of sites or books that would teach you how to ride a skate… He thought for a while and then decided to go to the skating field near his home, to watch for the good examples, like the note said.
After arriving, he tried to ride his skate again but suddenly fell to the ground. Then he sat above the skate and started to watch other boys. He watched what they did with their arms and legs in order to remain stable over the skates. And that was how he spent his afternoon: watching some experienced skaters, studying their body movements, and trying to do the same. That day Rodrigo arrived home late, very exhausted but also very glad with his progress.
In the next day, Rodrigo opened the second note. It was written this: EVOLUTION = STUDY + EFFORT + W + P. He thought that he had done this the day before, and maybe he just needed to put on some more effort to be able to ride the skate on his own. So he went to watch the experienced skaters again, but this time he tried to concentrate more on his efforts. By the end of the day, Rodrigo was already able to ride his skate, although not so smoothly and easily as the other boys.
In the following day, Rodrigo opened the third note, and read the following: EVOLUTION = STUDY + EFFORT + WORK + PERSEVERANCE. So after going to the skating field again and returning home at the end of the afternoon, Rodrigo realised that everything written on those notes were true. In for him to participate in professional skating championships, and therefore make his wishes come true, he just needed to work hard for a long time, because those skilled movements were not so hard as they seemed at first.
So that night, Rodrigo received another letter from his aunt. She was asking if he liked his birthday gift and if he had read the notes exactly how she suggested. She also explained that learning how to ride a skate is like learning anything else in life. So in order for him to learn how to have more patience, Rodrigo could also use the formula: EVOLUTION = STUDY + EFFORT + WORK + PERSEVERANCE. That is, he should first study his attitudes, watch his behaviours with others, and try to understand why and when he became impatient. Then he should put on some effort to have more patience and work hard during many days in order to be more calm and to accept things at their own time. His aunt ended her letter by stating she would visit him very soon to see his progress.
In the end, that birthday was very special for Rodrigo, because he learned how to use the formula: EVOLUTION = STUDY + EFFORT + WORK + PERSEVERANCE to become a good skater and, most of all, to be a better person throughout his life.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Paula Melo, London, linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Once upon a time, someone (we don’t know who) threw a seed out the window, or maybe it has jumped to escape from something. It fell and kept jumping… jumping until it fell at the feet of a boy called Peter, who came home from school .
Peter began kicking that seed until he felt bored of it:
- Good-bye to you strange seed. I got better things to do than kicking seeds - the boy said giving it a last kick
The poor seed was feeling very sad and then landed in the corner of a sidewalk under the scorching sun. The night came she was able to cool off a bit, but on the next morning it was swept away by sweepers who were cleaning the streets.
And the seed thought: "does no one care about me? Will no one plant me on the soil? ". Peter, at that moment, was going to school. He suddenly felt something in his shoes... Do you know what it was? The little seed!
- You again, little seed. I have already played with you yesterday. I have no time today. And there she was thrown into a corner of the street once more.
People passed by, trampling without even seeing it. The seed wept, but did not give up: "someone will notice me; that boy is my only hope, perhaps on his way back ..."
Do you know what happened? On the way back to school Peter found the seed, when he kicked it unintentionally:
- I'm tired of finding you in my way. I'll fix it - the boy said, as he gathered the seed .
Do you know what he did? When he got home he went to the back yard and buried the seed. Why did he bury the seed? Did he do it not find it on his way anymore or to plant the seed for it to grow? You choose.
It rained on that same night. A beautiful sunset appeared in the morning... When Peter woke up, what did he think? Maybe he thought: "I'm free of that seed that kept chasing me."
Days went by... On a Sunday morning Peter woke up and went out to play in the backyard. Do you know what he saw? That's right! The seed was turning into a small tree. The boy felt happy and began to take care of the planter. And there it was… Growing up and giving nature more seeds that turned into other small trees.
And this is how Peter learned to like and respect the plants. Today he is a boy who already has a huge plantation of trees of all sorts and distributes seedlings of various species to many places, donating them to those who can’t buy them. He knows the importance of plants in nature and seeks to teach people to respect nature overall. To take care of plants is to help build a better future.
Cleusa Lupatini
[Click here] to see drawings created by Cleusa Lupatini, Spiritist teacher from Grupo Espírita Seara do Mestre
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Once upon a time, there were six dozen of families living in a small village. The village was located on the bottom of one of the mountains, which is part of The Andes. The place was very cold, snowing all year long and covered by cold and dark clouds..
There was a family living in a small cottage: John, his wife Mary and their three sons Rose, Marcus and baby Robert..
Rose and Marcus went to school everyday. They would dress up quite warmly as it was always very cold outside. Sometimes it would snow for days, which made the temperatures get even lower. .
The children at school would hear the teacher talk about plants, green forests, trees that provided delicious fruit, colourful flowers and gardens with beautiful butterflies. The children saw the sun and the colour of the nature through the images the teacher would bring to school as she wanted them to know how beautiful the sun and the nature were. They kept wondering how good it must be to live in a hot and sunny place, where they could run and play in beautiful gardens..
One night, Rose told her mom about her dream of living in a warm and sunny place:.
- Mom, I will ask our good Father to allow our family to live somewhere sunny and warm, which will have colorful plants..
She prayed for days and days and days…...
A few months passed by and Rose was not believing God would listen to her prayers. When she was beginning to doubt it, she would remember her mom teaching her that God always listen to our prayers and gives us what we deserve. She would then thank God for every good thing she had in life: her family, her school, friends, daily food....
Her dad John worked at a factory which was located right next to the mountain. He told his boss about his daughter’s dream of living somewhere sunny and hot. The boss was a very kind and generous man; he just laughed and walked away..
One day in spring time, John arrived home in a hurry because he wanted to tell them great news: the family was going to move to a different location. John was promoted! His boss decided to transfer him to another factory, which was close to the ocean..
Rose asked her dad if there would be sun and heat available in the new location. She was so delighted to find out the sun was present in this new place; plus, there were many colourful trees and gardens there..
They packed everything in a few days and left. The trip to the new location was quite long; the children slept most of the time. When Rose woke up, she could not believe on what her eyes were seeing: beautiful green fields, colourful trees and bright son which she had never seen before..
Her new home had a beautiful garden, flowers and trees with delicious fruit. As soon as she arrived there, Rose remembered to pray to God for listening to her prayers..
In her new home, Rose grew up happily. She thanked God for the sun which was shinning outside, making the plants grow; the flowers flourish, give life to trees and make her life much happier.
Amália Paz e Cláudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Activity] [Answer]
[Beginning]
One night Esther was reading something really peaceful before going to bed. She prayed with utmost devotion before sleeping, since she knows she needed to get ready to be able to have a good night’s sleep.
As it happens to most of us, Esther slept and the bonds which unite her to the physical body were relaxed during sleep. Her spirit remained awake and could travel through space, and entered into more direct relation with other spirits. The perispirit, which is the Spirit’s fluidic body, unites the body and the spirit. It is linked to the physical body by an energetic thread known as the silver cord.
On that night, Esther slept and dreamed... She could remember on the following day a colourful and beautiful dream. This was not the first time dreamed with her uncle Ivan, who disincarnated one year ago. As soon as she woke up, she told her older sister:
- Uncle Ivan told me to study, obey my parents, and keep going to the spiritist education classes and practice goodness.
- Cool! – Madison said. Uncle Ivan loved giving advice, do you remember? This happened when we meet in spirit the people we love; disincarnate or incarnate. You know this, don’t you?
- Yes, I do. I dream quite often – Esther answered. Last week I dream with a math’s exam I would have to do on the following day.
- Oh, but that’s a different dream! When you dreamed with the exam, you brought your daily preoccupations to your dream. These are called psychological dreams. The dream you had with uncle Ivan was a spiritual dream, since you have the remembrance of what your spirit had seen. We can recall this type of dream or just keep a good or bad feeling from it, depending on what happened.
- I once dreamed I had to go to the toiled and kept searching for one on my dream... – Esther said this to her sister and started to laugh.
- I have already dreamed of this... Thank God I woke up right on time to go to the toilet... – both girls started to laugh. I have already dreamed I was in the North Pole and woke up feeling really cold. These dreams are called Psychological as they are a result of our thoughts, interests and worries.
Esther felt really happy today. She found out when we sleep, depending on our merits and feelings, we can meet people, learn, work and practice goodness in the spiritual world.
When this conversation was over, she was full of new ideas: she was planning to ask her protector spirit to learn whilst her physical body slept, if possible. She also wished to meet her cousin Anne, since she missed her so much.
What about you? What are you intending to do tonight, whilst your physical body sleeps?
*This story was created by the spiritist teachers from the 2nd Cycle – Spiritist Group Seara do Mestre (Santo Ângelo/RS). This was used to illustrate the lesson "Sleep and Dreams".
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
_ Daddy!!
Carl, a seven year old boy, was being brought to the spiritist education classes at the spiritist centre by his mother.
_ Dad, are you sure guardian angels don’t have any wings? Is that true?
Luis, Carl’s father, had a lot of experience as a spiritist teacher. He remembered some of the questions the children used to bring to his classes.
_ No, my son. Little angels with wings and halos do not exist.
_ But dad, who do I need to pray for, then?
_ We could do our prayers directly to God, to Jesus or to our protector spirit.
_???
_ In the Spiritist Doctrine we prefer to call them protector spirits instead of angels. They are spirits like us, but they have already discarnate.
_ Oh right, dad! Disincarnate is someone who died already, is that right?
_ Yes, that’s right. These are spirits who have progressed morally due to the good actions practiced. They are now in the spiritual plane able to help us, inspiring us good thoughts. Therefore, they don’t decide on our behalf. It is our responsibility to be good, look after the nature, respect the others and love one another.
_ So, Can we all become protector spirits someday?
_ It will depend on our evolution and our personal improvement as a person.
_ Wow daddy, that’s good! I will try to be better every single day. I want to become someday a protector spirit and help other people.
Steve picked up his ball and was really happy to have learnt a new lesson, thus asked his dad to play with his friends.
Bis nº 15 – fevereiro de 2000
Translation: Viviane Ferreira
[Click here] to find additional material for this story
[Have fun!]
[Beginning]
_ Happy birthday! Enjoy life!
The last sentence hasn’t left of Kate’s mind: “Enjoy life!” Her aunt who had given her this advice had already left, so Kate hasn’t had a chance to ask her aunt what was the sentence meaning.
Kate was commemorating her 10Th birthday and she got as a gift a computer. With her computer she started to send e-mails to her friends.
The girl has had a good idea; she sent e-mails asking her friends the following question: what does mean “enjoy life” for you?
There were many kind of answers, different ways of thinking:
“Be on vacation and go fishing!” _ said Kate’s favorite uncle. The girl, however, doesn’t like to fish, and thought the definition was not really good.
“Go to the parties and get drunk” _ answered an older cousin. Kate couldn’t go to the parties yet, is still a kid, and even, if could go, she thought she wouldn’t drink until get drunk, because her parents had taught her that drinking alcoholic drinks was not a good choice, it’s not healthy and it’s not good for you as an immortal spirit.
“Be without doing anything, only retiring!” _ It was written in one of the received e-mails. “That’s funny” _Thought Kate. “I don’t like to be without doing anything, because I get bored, and my mom complains that I bother her, always asking her something to do.
“Travel, know the world!” _ It was her older sister answer, who was in a college. Travel is great, thought Kate, but not all the time, because stay at home with friends and family is cool.
“Have a lot of money to buy whatever you want!” _ Kate’s best friend surprised her. Although, many other people associated the answer with material things like money, new car, rank, trips.
One of the answers, however, was different and said:
“Enjoy life is to be with people you like, doing what you like.”
Kate has liked this e-mail, but she has liked the other one more:
“The concept of enjoying life varies from person to person, according to the important values of each other: family, have fun, money, trips, might be material things or not. As immortal spirits who we are, we are incarnated in the earth to learn how to love, forgive, live in family, do good to everybody. Do you know we are as birds? We also have two wings: the wisdom wing, that represents intellectual knowledge that we should bring through studying and working; and the love wing, that is charity practice, forgive, patience, understanding, respect, and many other immortal values taught by Jesus.”
The e-mail ended telling her that was up to herself define what is enjoy life, without forgetting that we are spirits created by God passing through the earth, in order to love and evolve.
Kate, after thinking about the message, inspired by her protective spirit, kept the e-mail carefully, positive that it had helped her understand what her aunt meant that birthday.
Cláudia Schimidt
Translation: Viviane Ferreira
[Beginning]
Once upon a time, in a forest far away, there was a little ant called Fly who lived in a beautiful and organized anthill. There was an intense activity going on there. This anthill was managed by a very kind Queen ant. Fly was very different from her little sisters, because she wanted to sleep all the time...
The little ants were always carrying leafs to supply the anthill, but felt annoyed when they saw Fly sleeping all the time. She would sleep non-stop; she wouldn’t worry about anything at all...
Fly’s behaviour was so shocking the entire anthill felt angry and decided to go on strike. Fly would either change her behaviour and work or none of the ants would work. It was chaos… The Queen ant had to take an emergency action to solve this problem, which was created by the lazy ant…
The Queen ant called Fly and kindly talked to her. The Queen ant was feeling angry but decided to find out first from Fly why she was behaving this way. Fly replied that she simply didn’t want to carry any leafs as they were too heavy….
The Queen ant gave her the opportunity to decide for another activity at the anthill, which she could get involved with. The Queen ant took her to visit the nursery where she could become a baby-sitter for the baby-ants. Therefore, Fly was not able to stand their cries for more than half-hour. She soon got back to The Queen ant and complained she couldn’t do the job...
Fly was taken by The Queen ant to the deposit where all leafs were stored. Fly could work at the storage, with the perforation of leafs and the organization of the warehouse. Fly didn’t like this activity either; she found it really tiring.
The Queen ant then had another idea:
- Oh, I know! I will find you a task you won’t need to make any strength and won’t get tired from doing it.
Fly loved the idea. She was now the guard of the anthill. She was so happy because she thought that position was really posh and easy. She didn’t have to do much. Fly would only need to stand up there and press the alarm button if anything dangerous got closer to the anthill...
But soon Fly fell asleep...
She slept there; standing up….
She didn’t see when Tamandua, who eats mostly ants.
Tamandua ate half of all the ants from the anthill! The Queen ant was fortunately able to escape from the attack because she was protected by the soldier-ants.
Fly cried a lot for the lost of her friends and was severely punished by The Queen ant. She was so angry at Fly!
Fly cried and mourned the loss of her friends…. She suddenly heard a noise coming from the factory: PIIIIIUUUUIIIIII!!!! She was so shocked!
Fly was sleeping, instead of working as a guard! The Tamandua’s attack was just a dream, but it served as a lesson for Fly. It was an important warning for the importance of the work and the responsibility Fly now has as working as a guard.
Today, Fly is the best worker at the anthill. It is amazing to see how enthusiastic she is at work. She enjoys protecting the anthill; she is always attentive to her task and in a very good mood. It is with great joy she work as a guard, but not only that…. Se also does volunteer work like carrying the heaviest leafs and helping ill ants to be fed. Fly is now much happier; she is now a role model for younger little ants.
Sherazade Gomes
Drawings from Sherazade Gomes – Spiritist Teacher –Spiritist Centre Francisco de Assis - Eunápolis/BA
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies
[Colored Drawings]
[Drawings]
[Beginning]
* One beautiful morning, Alex woke up and went to the bathroom to wash his face. He suddenly realized there was no water available. He then decided to go out and buy fresh bread for his morning breakfast. He went down to his building reception area and realized the doorman wasn’t there. He then left the building and walked to the streets. He now realized the rubbish was not collected by the town hall.
* He then was standing in front of the bakery when he realized it was closed. The local street shop was also closed….
* Alex decided to go back home as he needed to go back to work. He walked it and realized his house was quite messy. He called his secretary Diva, but suddenly realized she didn’t come to work on this day.
* He decided to go to work. He worked quite far away. He walked to the bus stop which was two blocks from his building. He then noticed all the shops were closed. When he arrived at the bus stop, someone told him there were no buses. The entire city was on strike. It was general strike.
* He tried to get a taxi and buy a medication for his headache at the drug store. Therefore, there were no taxis around or drug stores open. He had to walk to work on this day.
* Alex worked in a factory that produced and packed milk. When he finally arrived at work, he found out none of his colleagues came to work. Everything was closed. On this day, no bottles of milked were packed.
* He managed to go back home by foot. On his way home, he saw a hospital which was closed. There was a queue of ill people waiting for the hospital to open.
* He walked for a little bit longer and noticed there were too many leaf from the trees on the floor. It seemed as if they were forming a carpet of leafs in the streets, which could be quite slippery and dangerous. The streets we full of leafs and garbage.
* He now remembered he was almost out of cash. Alex then decided to walk to his bank, but he wasn’t able to get in as the bank was also closed.
* He went back home, tried to watch TV but there was no light.
What do you think he could do? (Please let the children answer).
But this was not what happened….
He suddenly heard the following noise: TRRRRRIIIIMMMM!!
He was actually dreaming. He woke up from his dream, but he learned a very important lesson. What is it? (Please let the children answer).
Cláudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
It was Arthur’s first day of holiday. He just started his school holidays today. His mother asked him to help drying the dishes after they had lunch.
- Oh, mom. I can’t do it! – He said. I don’t want to do anything this time. I am on holiday. I don’t want to work. No way!
On the same day, Arthur also decided not to tidy up his room, wash his tennis shoes and help his mom with the house duties. He just laid in the couch for the whole afternoon. He decided to just stay in the living room watching TV. His mother wanted to oblige him to help her, but decided to do something different...
On the following day Arthur woke up quite late and decided not to help her again. He said:
- I am on holiday. I don’t want to work. No way!
Her mother than challenged her son:
- I bet you won’t be able to stay a week without being able to work!
- I bet an ice cream I can! – Arthur responded.
- Ok, we have a bet! – His mother said.
His mother was called Ana. She then started to watch her son quite closely to see what things he chose to do or make. When he finished reading one of the books he got as a present from his uncle, she said:
- My son, you might not be aware but according to the Spiritist Doctrine we learn that EVERY USEFUL OCCUPATION IS LABOUR. If you read a book, with spiritist stories, this is also labour.
Arthur didn’t want to work and decided to go cycling. He cycled for over an hour. When he got back home, lady Ana recalled:
- Physical exercises are really good for our physical body; hence, it is a useful occupation….
- Right, this means this is work! – Arthur understood the message and decided to drop his bike.
When the boy was starting to get bored, his neighbour Abigail called for him. She wanted to invite him to play with her. They played together for hours and hours. When Abigail went back to her house, lady Ana said:
- Healthy children’s plays are very good for our spirit. They educate us and teach us respect, kindness and collaboration. Hence, they are considered a type of labour.
Arthur couldn’t respond to his mother. He soon switched on the TV and started to watch an interesting documentary on animals.
- To study is a very useful and important occupation, just like watching educational programmes on TV – his mother reminded him during dinner time.
On the same evening Arthur watched a movie he got at rental center. This was a horror movie with suspense. When Lady Ana walked into the living room and saw what he was watching, she said:
- This is definitely not labour. This is not useful to watch; it will make you feel scared and attracted spiritual companies to this environment who also love violence and fear.
Arthur meditated on what his mother said for a while, but decided to finish watching the movie. His mother then came to say good night to him. She than asked:
- Have you prayed this evening?
Arthur said he did; she smiled and said:
- To pray for yourself and for others is a beautiful and useful occupation... While we are sleeping, we can work and study in spirit...
Arthur just smiled and understood he would not be able to win the bet… This was when he realized his mother, with love and patience, made him reflect about his choices in life. His mother was able to teach him that every useful occupation is labour.
On the following day, Arthur helped his mother with the house duties without complaining. He felt that being useful was an intelligent choice. It brings us well-being and happiness. Work is a precious opportunity to learn and progress. A few days later, mother and son decided to stop working for a few moments and enjoyed a big and delicious ice cream.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
One day, I decided to make a list of things I want to get as Christmas presents. I gave it to my mom: one football, one videogame and a mobile phone.
I got an answer back from her, in writing: Yes, No, wait…
I didn’t understand the note, and decided to ask her to explain it to me. She said that each word was referring to an individual answer for each of my wishes. Hence:
Football = Yes
Videogame = No
Mobile phone = Wait
I then understood I was going to get a football for Christmas, but she would not give me a videogame since the one I wanted was war related.
- Son, it’s not good or education to be playing up with war games. These games, son, are encouraging war, since you are shooting, destroying cities, killing people… Every holiday season manufactures prey on the children with pro-war propaganda disguised as innocent toys. These games are just like a real war. I don’t want you to grow up thinking its fun to kill.
She also explained the third answer is to wait since this is not the right time for me to get a mobile phone:
- There is always the right time for everything, son. In the near future you will get one, depending on your maturity and responsibility. It’s too early now; please be patient.
I don’t agree with my mom since I am now eleven years old. I now know I won’t get a mobile phone for Christmas. My mom then explained God also operates in a similar way. We can ask Him for things, but he waits for the right time to answer what we asked Him.
- God only do what we ask if this is something we deserve or if this will help us in our spiritual evolution. If we are not listened, give it some time. We might realise our request was not really good for us.
My mom noticed I was listening to her quite carefully and decided to continue:
- When God answers our prayers, we need to wait; we need to trust Him. We should pray, have faith and develop our patience because God know what is best for us.
I now realise I don’t need to put up a fight or feel sorry for not getting everything I have asked for. I know if I complain nothing will change. It’s best to wait and avoid discussion.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
- There are five cents missing, lady...
The bus collector was waiting whilst Claire look around her pockets to see where the coin was. She didn’t have five cents to pay for her bus ticket...
- Here you go!
Renato spontaneously gave one of his coins to the bus collector. Claire felt relieved and thanked her friend with a smile.
Both friends sat right behind Louise, Claire’s older sister. They watched the city and the people passing by... There are so many economic and social differences in the world! They felt quite sad when they saw children who were not able to go to school, people begging for money in the streets, really poor houses... They could see men and women whose faces looked really tired and hopeless…
Claire suddenly asks:
- Why is the world so sad?
Renato meditated for a moment… Louise turned to them and answered:
- Unfortunately, this is the way things are still. If each of us our part, the world would be a much happier place…. Therefore, not everyone wants to help.
Louise goes to the Youth Group at the spiritist centre. Over there they talk a lot and try to understand people and the world. They also questioned themselves what they could do to change the reality.
- It’s impossible to fix this world! No one cares about anyone…. Renato poured out his heart.
Louise soon corrected him:
- No, Renato. This is not true. There are many people out there who don’t care about anyone, but there are people who do care and try to make a difference for the world to become a better place. The problem is we tend to only look at the dark side of things.
Louise then started to tell them some of the good things that people do to others:
One young man stood up and let a lady take his place on the bus; the driver waited for a woman to cross the street; two children shared their snack at school; a Doctor who didn’t charge poor people for his advice and time; people who did theatre plays for children who were in orphanages; a lady who buys school material for her maid’s son to encourage him to go to school; clothes and food campaigns for poor families; boys who visit elderly at elderly houses; a man who always smiles at the postman….
There are a lot of good people out there! There are also many opportunities to help, everyday!
Claire then realized the coin Renato gave her to pay for her journey. It was only five cents, but it made a huge difference for her!
On that day, Claire and Renato were able to understand with Louise’s help that little things we do can make a huge difference to the person who we help. With small attitudes, we can help the world become a much better place to live.
Letícia Müller
drawings created by Cleusa Lupatini – Spiritist Teacher - Grupo Espírita Seara do Mestre - Santo Ângelo/RS
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Drawings]
[Have fun!]
[Beginning]
Anne Louise was a beautiful, well educated, responsible and loving girl whom everyone adored. Even though she was only 6 years old, she was quite independent. She was able to do her homework on her own, showered without complaining and even helped her mom by making her bed every morning and organizing her toys.
She would also help her mom looking after her little brother Lucas, a beautiful baby with big blue eyes.
One day she was invited by her auntie Clare to spend the weekend in the house of her grandma Leticia. Anne was really happy with the invite since she was going to visit her grandma and spend the weekend with her cousins Tassiane and Talita.
Her mom helped her pack the backs, but Anne was not able to sleep the night before because she was quite excited with the trip. On the next day, they travelled to the city. They observed the nature, the beautiful landscape and sun. Anne and her mother thanked God’s kindness for creating the nature, the trees and flowers that were embellishing the way to the city.
Once they arrived at her granny’s home, they were welcomed with lots of hugs and kisses. They all went to the house to enjoy a delicious snack prepared by Grandma Leticia. As soon as they finished eating, the grandma went to the kitchen to do the washing. Anne decided to help her dry the dishes and realised her granny used the least amount of detergent possible and didn't leave the water running for rinsing.
Anne Louise and her cousins soon went out to play together. They exchanged presents and talked a lot trying to catch up as much as they could. At night they were all really tired and decided to get ready to go to sleep. Anne Louise helped her mother unpack her bags.
Auntie Claire said now it was time for them to take a shower and go to sleep. Anne Louise’s cousins didn’t want to go because they wanted to play a bit more. Anne, instead, decided to go and take her shower. Her grandma switched on the shower and left the bathroom since Anne knew how to take a shower on her own. She was feeling quite comfortable and started to sing in the shower. She stayed there for about 20 minutes, but then her grandma opened the door and said:
- Anne, you are taking too long in this shower! There is a lot of water being wasted!
Anne was used to spending a lot of time in the shower, and found her grandma’s reaction quite strange. Her grandma then explained that we need to save water so that this resource will still be available in the future. If everyone takes quicker showers, we will have water available to drink in the future. In the shower, you can turn water on to get wet; turn off to lather up; then turn back on to rinse off. You can also repeat it when washing your hair.
The conversation continued after the shower, since her grandma explained that we need to look after rivers by not polluting it, not throwing bin at it so we can have water forever. Anne Louise paid close attention to what her grandma thought her. She changed the way she took her shower and brushed her teeth!
The weekend was really fun. When Anne Louise got back home, she told her dad and friends about it. She also encouraged them to save water and look after the rivers. She also talked to them about how difficult it would be to live without water and how important it is for our health and well-being. Anne Louise also talked to her mom’s employee so she could also save water when she did the washing and avoided running the tap.
This was such a special trip because Anne Louise learned a lesson for life! She thought many people what she knew about water, and they also changed their behaviour helping to conserve the water of the planet.
Amália Paz
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
- No, mom. I don’t want to water the plants. I don’t like nature!
- But, dear, the nature is not just made of plants. Nature was God’s creation and is a gift for us. It includes plants, animals, flowers, water, air, rain, sea, sky, clouds...
- It doesn’t matter for me, mom. Nature didn’t need to exist, for me.
Marcia decided to stay silent for a few moments and then asked:
- What if nature didn’t exist for you, for one day?
- It would be ok for me; the girl said. Actually, it would be really good for me.
- Ok, we have a deal now. You won’t have nature in your life tomorrow. How about that?
Marcia felt a bit suspicious with her mother’s deal, but decided to accept it in the end. She thought it would be good not to water the plants, clean the leaves from the front garden or moan the lawn.
On the following day, she woke up, went to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth, but couldn’t. There was no water available. She then went to her room to find her school uniform, but couldn’t find her t-shirt. She then went to the kitchen to have breakfast, but didn’t find her coffee ready. Instead there was a note at the table where it was written:
"The milk comes from the cow. The sugar comes from the sugar can, which is a plant. Coffee is also a plant. Bread is made of wheat and fruits are also coming from the nature, just as the wheat.”
Marcia actually liked the fact she didn’t need to have breakfast, since she wasn’t hungry. Her mom didn’t insist for her to eat either. She asked her mom where her t-shirt was, but was told it was made of cotton. Since it is plant, hence Marcia wouldn’t be able to clothe it today. The girl missed her cat, which would always be there in the morning to spend some time with her. Her mom told her the cat was spending the day at her neighbour’s house, since animals are also part of nature.
When she got inside the car, the girl found it really funny when her mom asked her to keep her eyes closed until they reached the school. She found out her mom wanted her to do that so she didn’t see all the beautiful trees and flowers that were on the around on that beautiful morning of spring.
Marcia went to her classroom, opened her bag to look for her notebook and pencil, but couldn’t find them. Instead, there was a note written by her mom saying:
"Notebooks and pencils are in fact coming from the trees. Kisses, your mom."
She felt annoyed, but then asked someone to lend her a piece of paper and a pencil. They had a break later on. Instead of finding her snack, she found another note from her mom:
"I could not find anything for you to eat that doesn’t belong to the nature. I am sorry."
When Marcia arrived back home, she could smell food in the kitchen. She then searched for her mom; she wanted to talk to her....
At this point in the story, the spiritist teacher should question the children: What do you think the girl did? What would you do if you were her?
Marcia was very hungry and sorry for what she said on the previous day. Whilst she was speaking to her mom, her cat came close to her; to welcome the girl back from school.
Marcia’s mum hugged her and asked the girl to do the prayer before they had lunch, as the family usually did. On that day, Marcia asks God’s forgiveness and thanked Him for the creation of the nature. She now realises it is a gift from God for all human beings. Without nature, it would be impossible for us to leave in the planet.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
One day Monica and Antonia were finishing their school assignment called “Jesus’ miracles”. They wrote about several of Jesus’ cures, such as the Ten Lepers, the Paralytic from Bethsaida and so on, but something was missing….
- Why can’t people perform the same types of cures Jesus did? – Monica questioned.
Antonia didn’t know the answer to this question. Therefore, Auntie Amelia, who is a spiritist teacher, came to her mind. She had helped her in previous school assignments.
They decided to search for Auntie Amelia and ask her help. She works as a chemist in a manipulation pharmacy. They met her explained their doubts whilst she was preparing something with test tubes. Auntie Amelia suddenly dropped a pink liquid in her white lab coat, without warning the girls she would do it. The girls got really frightened! Why did she do that? Her lab coat would now have a pink stain on it!
Therefore Auntie Amelia, instead of explaining what she did, just said to them:
- Jesus did not perform any miracles.
The girls looked at each other. What was going on with Auntie Amelia? First, she drops this pink liquid in her lab coat; now she says this…. But she continued:
- Miracle is an extraordinary event that goes against the Laws of god. In the ancient times, people didn’t have the knowledge we have nowadays. They understood as miracles all cures and extraordinary phenomena performed by Jesus because they could not explain it in a different way.
- But, how can we explain the cures performed by Jesus? – Antonia wanted to know.
- Jesus cured people, repelled disturbed spirits, said predictions... He also used telepathy and clairvoyance. He was able to all these by manipulating energy; through his thoughts and will, since He is a Superior spirit and has much more knowledge than all of us. – The Auntie explained.
Monica and Antonia were listening carefully. Auntie Amelia continued:
- He did these extraordinary things to help people and to make them understand He was on a very special mission; to disseminate love and charity. But to deserve to be cured, the person needed to have faith and will to change. This is why Jesus always said: ‘Your Faith saved you’.
It was at this point Monica remembered what happened to her auntie’s lab coat. It was quite surprising to see the pink stain was now gone! The girls were again taken by surprise…
- No, girls, this is not a miracle! – Auntie Amelia explained. This is just something we can’t explain. Can you now see how easy it is to call miracle something we do not understand? I mixed certain chemical components together earlier on. When they get dry, these components evaporate and make the stain disappear.
- Cool! – The girls screamed.
They kissed Auntie Amelia and thanked her for the lesson. They went back home to finish their school assignment and decided to change its title: Jesus did not perform miracles.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Charlie had a beautiful brown cat called Tom. They used to play together and the cat followed up the boy in all places: Tom sometimes was a little clumsy. It had already broken Ann’s favorite flower and dropped the cookies jar from the table. Besides, Tom has ripped their daily newspapers many times.
One afternoon, however, Charlie went to his mom’s bedroom to look a for cotton swab in her drawer. Charlie took everything off from the drawers, when something suddenly happened:
- Crash!
He dropped the bottle of perfume that belongs to his mom. When the bottle fell down on the floor, it was broken in many pieces. It spread all the perfume on the floor. Mrs. Ann, who was in the kitchen, heard the noise and went there to check what just happened:
- My perfume! - She said. – What happened, Charlie?
- It was Tom, mom. – Charlie said; showing the cat that was not too far from him.
- This cat is a disaster! This is not the first object it breaks in this house! - Charlie’s mom complained.
Charlie went quiet while his mom kept talking.
- Today Tom is going to sleep in the garage! I don’t want this cat anymore into the house! Tom is going to stay out there, starting from now. He is not going to break anything else.
Charlie didn’t tell his mom the truth, but just took the cat to the garage. Later, when Mrs. Ann placed dinner on the table, Charlie didn’t want to eat. The boy was missing the cat. He suddenly realized they couldn’t play together that night.
Before falling asleep, his mom came to his bedroom to pray with him. He missed the cat that would usually sleep on the rug next to Charlie’s bed. When they finished the prayer, Charlie couldn’t keep hiding the truth from his mom and decided to be honest about what happened:
- Mom, it wasn’t Tom that broke your bottle of perfume. It was me! I hit the bottle and it fell on the ground. I’m sorry!
Mrs. Ann hugged Charlie and remembered him that telling the truth is always the best decision. They then went back to the garage to pick up Tom. The cat got really happy to see them and went to sleep on his rug next to Charlie’s bed.
Claudia Schmidt
Translator: Viviane Ferreira
[Click here] to find an activity that could be used
(received from Gisel Haddad / KSSF Kardecian Study Society of Florida - USA).
There are several other options available here: Activities
[Beginning]
Joyce is calm, friendly and dedicated 12 year old child.
Therefore, one day she had a tough time at school. She was chatting to a colleague and the teacher reprehended her. Joyce felt ashamed and embarrassed, because she really likes the teacher and knew she wasn’t doing anything wrong.
On the same evening, her parents invited her to go to a lecture given by Divaldo Pereira Franco, who is a prominent Spiritist speaker and medium. She decided not to go. Besides, she started to scream out loud, with a very weird voice. She said she didn’t want her parents to go to that lecture. She was crying, shouting and begged them to stay home with her.
Her parents decided to talk to her very peacefully. They said they loved her very much and wanted pray with her. Joyce didn’t want them to pray, but her parents were very firm with her. They were going to pray no matter what. They soon started to pray and Joyce began to feel calmer. She slept earlier on that day. Her father went to the lecture, but her mom stayed home with her.
On the following day, Joyce said to her parents she couldn’t remember what happened last night. She said she felt like fighting with everyone. It was as if someone was inside her head, telling her to do so.
Her mom heard her attentively and decided to take her to the nearest spiritist centre. They went there on the same evening to talk to someone who could help them. They were welcomed by a very friendly and kind lady at the centre. She heard Joyce’s story and explained what happened to her.
She said we are all influenced by our disincarnate brothers and sisters. They connect to us through common interests we might have with them:
- It’s like us hearing a voice telling us: Do this! Don’t go there! The spirits try to influence us so we do good or bad things. It is up to each of us to decide to follow their advice.
The lady also said we have our protector angel, who is our friend, always by our side. He/she gives us good advices, but in order to feel his/her presence, we need to listen to our intuition. We must want to follow a good path. She said the best way to connect to him/her is through prayer.
Mother and daughter learned a lot on that evening. They decided to read books about spiritual influences and always pray whenever they had bad thoughts, so they could get help from their spiritual guides. They also decided to do “Gospel at Home" reading once a week on same day at same time, lasting from 15 to 20 minutes, in any room of the house where participants can sit comfortably.
Please ask them: Why do you think Joyce stopped suffering from the influence of disincarnated spirits?
Joyce can feel spiritual influences, just like all of us can. If we acquire knowledge and following Jesus’ teaching, we will be able to perceive more the positive influences that will lead us to a good patch. Let’s watch and pray, as Jesus taught us.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Johnny, Peter and Joseph went to a supermarket. Johnny and Peter stole two chocolate bars each. Joseph didn’t steel anything. He was able to buy a chocolate bar with the coins he had on his pocket. Guess what happened to the three boys?
Johnny – Johnny kept thinking it was ok to steel one or two chocolate bars. He soon started to steel other things; bigger and more expensive. Johnny was never taken to jail, which is why he thought it was ok to steel as long as no one found out about it.
Johnny grew up and found a job, but he was soon stealing from his boss. He had to move to another city and find another job so that no one would find out his thefts.
Johnny had a lot of material things, but didn’t have a calm and relaxed consciousness. He had insomnia and gastritis. He also felt nervous and afraid of someone finding out about his thefts. He was a very unhappy person. He realised his sons felt ashamed of him, since he was not a very good example to be followed. He was really young when he had a heart attack and disincarnated. He arrived at the Spiritual World feeling quite disturbed and attached to the material life. He missed his house, his car and all the other material things he had in Earth. He ended up meeting other robbers, like himself, who suffered a lot. They were also very scared and felt loneliness. Some time later he regretted the dishonest life he had in Earth. Johnny’s family prayed for him. God, with His infinite kindness, gave him a new opportunity (the spiritist teacher can ask how God gives us a new opportunity when we are in the Spiritual World): he reincarnated. Johnny, in his new life, has another physical body and another name. He will many times feel tempted to be dishonest. He will soon need to learn to respect other people and their belongings. If he does that, he will be able to acquire an eternal virtue: honesty.
Peter – When he got home, Peter’s dad realised his son was looking quite disturbed. He then went to talk to Peter and found out what happened. He talked to Peter about the importance of being an honest person at all times. He also said stealing is wrong and our conscious mind will remember that, even if no one can see it. His dad made he go back to the supermarket and apologise to the manager. He also had to pay back for the chocolate bar he stole. The boy never forgot his dad’s words. He also couldn’t forget his dad’s face. He felt so bad about it as his father was feeling extremely embarrassed by this child’s attitude. Time passed by, and Peter never ever stole again.
He also learned that lying is dishonest. If he lies, he is being dishonest with himself and with others. He learned to cultivate the truth only. Peter finished his studies, went to University and found a good job. He got married and had children. During his life, Peter had the opportunity to be dishonest but never did it. When he thought about it, he remembered his dad’s words. He developed a virtue which is called honesty. This is an eternal virtue, which will take him to the next reincarnations.
Joseph – When Joseph found out about what his friend did, he tried to alert them. He said it was wrong to steel and their attitude would bring them negative consequences. Therefore, the other boys didn’t pay him attention. They called Joseph a coward and a chickenhearted. Since he knew it was wrong to steel, he decided to leave the other boys alone.
Joseph grew up, finished University and got a job. He met a girl called Miriam, who he fall in love with and got married to. They had children. His wife was very honest and worked hard. Their home was full of love and sincerity. Joseph could rest in peace every night and feel calm about his day as he was always doing his best; following Jesus’ teachings.
Joseph and Miriam faced some challenges, even financial difficulties. Therefore, with the love, sincerity and honesty they had they were able to solve their problems in an easier way. Joseph was able to give his sons a great example to be followed. The children learned precious lessons and were able to pass these lessons to their kids as well; Joseph’s grandchildren. They were all able to build up a better world.
When Joseph, disincarnated, he was welcomed by many friends in the spiritual world. They were all so happy for meeting Joseph once again. Joseph also reincarnated to continue with his spiritual progress, feeling good for the efforts he made in his previous incarnation.
Claudia Schmidt
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Our story starts at a family home. Their situation wasn’t easy at all. The father left the family a long time ago... The older brothers decided to live in the streets. They didn’t care about the family either. The mother was very sick; this sickness didn’t seem to have a cure...
Johnny, who was only 12 years old, managed everything at home alone. He would do little jobs, manage to look after his sick mother and feed his two little brothers. He would also be concerned about their education, since he himself wasn’t able to go to school. Whoever saw him could never believe Johnny, who looked so fragile and small as a result of bad nutrition, would have the strength and courage to endure so much. Johnny never complained. He always dealt with whatever came to his life the best way possible. He always managed to be happy and keep the flag flying.
From men’s point of view, God seemed to be unfair. He gave so much responsibility to this fragile and unprotected child. Therefore, from the spiritual point of view, it looked so much different! Both the spiritual benefactors and Johnny knew this was the only way for him to earn his redemption.
In his previous reincarnation, Johnny was Mr. Johns. He was born in a very noble and rich family. Instead of using his family’s resources and influence to help others, he would use his money to persecute and give rein to his bad passions.
He destroyed families and hurt a lot of people, with his power and money. After he disincarnated, Mr. Johns was no longer famous or powerful. He showed who he really was: an unhappy and afflicted spirit who regretted the evil things he did. He then planned a new life, with the help of the spiritual benefactors. This new life would have many difficulties and suffering; deprived from material resources. Mr. Johns would receive at his home a lot of people he hurt in this previous incarnation, as family members who needed to be looked after by him.
There goes Johnny, the boy who seemed to have all the rights to feel sad or angry. Instead, he is a very happy child. He is just like a little anonymous hero, who’s been helped by invisible friends, searching for little jobs in order to maintain his family. He knows, unconsciously, he asked and received from God the opportunity to rectify his mistakes from the past and progress in the best possible way: by seeding and distributing smiles and love wherever he goes.
Luis Roberto Scholl
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
Drawings from Cristina Chaves - Sociedade Espirita Casa do Caminho - Bairro Jardim das Palmeiras - Porto Alegre - RS
[Drawings] [Beginning]
Horácio is a ten-year-old boy who won for his last birthday a little dog called Cafuné.
One day, something different happened: Horácio woke up in the Cafuné’s little house, but he didn’t remember how he got there. He realized at the same time the little house needed to be cleaned, but Cafuné didn’t know how to clean its house. The dog was not there and there was not even clean water to Cafuné drink.
When the boy tried to get out of the house, he realized that he, Horácio, was Cafuné. He got scared and tried to ask his mom for help. Eunice, as soon as she saw the dog trying to get her attention, sent it out to the garden.
The dog/boy was feeling quite confused. He decided to lie in the shade. He realized he thought as a boy, but the other people thought he was Cafuné, his dog. He realizes his body was a little different, needed a shower, and also there were some weird signs in it, like scars. What would be them? Horácio remembered one time when he was playing with Cafuné and his dad stopped him because he was hurting the dog. It must have hurt a lot. How could he be so bad with his friend? He needs to be more careful next time. Would be there another chance?
Suddenly, Horácio felt a strong itch. Fleas! He was full of fleas! He now remembers he hasn’t taken Cafuné to the vet for a long time. The boy was quite busy lately and forgot to look after his pet. He wasn’t giving him fresh water, showering him, care or even attention.
The boy felt so sad and worried… Suddenly, he heard his mom scream:
- Horácio!
The dog/boy ran, stumbled on a rock and… woke up on his bed… He then saw Cafuné licking his legs. He was back being his oldself; the same boy as before!
Horácio’s spirit-protector was there; by his side. He was feeling quite happy with the lesson the little boy learned on that evening.
Claudia Schmidt
Translator: Viviane Ferreira
[Have fun!] [Beginning]
The Three Little Pigs Comet, Cupid and Rudolph are now adults. Each of them decided to build their own house, which would be the home for their family in the future. Comet built a house of straw. As soon as he finished it, he decided to go to sleep which is what he likes the most. His mom is no longer around him to remind how lazy he was being.
Cupid was a bit more organised than his brother and decided to build a house of sticks to endure bad weather. As soon as he finished building it, he went to rest as he was so tired.
Rudolph, on the other hand, worked for several weeks and built a house of hard bricks which was very safe. His new home was beautiful and safe just as his old home. As soon as he finished it, Rudolph decided to invite his mom to visit him.
They soon found out a wolf lived nearby. They thought he was a very bad one, but they were wrong. Zoe, the big wolf, was quite elderly. He had big ears and a long nose, which made him look bad. He was actually a very nice wolf who was very quiet and didn’t have many friends.
Everything was going quite well with them until spring, the most beautiful of all seasons, arrived. What was the problem? The problem was that Zoe had flower pollen allergy.
He sneezes and coughs a lot. He also has itchy and red eyes. Sometimes his whole body would itch a lot.
When the symptoms first appeared, Zoe would go to the doctor, Mr. Orestes, who was his GP for many, many years. On his way back home, he went to a Pharmacy and bought the medicine.
He sneezed throughout the whole path. His nose was really red and his body was itching. Who saw him in the streets probably thought he was quite weird: he looked quite ugly and angry, since he coughed and itched all the time.
As soon as he got home, the wolf got a glass of water in order to drink his medicine. He then realised the wrong medication was given to him at the Pharmacy. Zoe actually got a medicine for stomach ache, rather than hay fever.
Zoe decided to ask his new neighbours, the three little pigs, for help. If he had to go back to the Pharmacy, he would get much worse since there were lots of flowers on the way.
He went to Comet’s house first to ask his neighbour to change the medication to the right one. Whilst he waited for the little pig to open the door, he felt the need to sneeze. He sneezed once, twice, three times... When he stopped sneezing he realised he destroyed the little pig’s home.
The poor wolf was not even able to apologize to the little pig, since he ran away to Cupid’s home.
Zoe was still feeling really sick and decided to go to Cupid’s house to ask for help. He was going to be more careful this time to avoid destroying this neighbour’s house.
Zoe got closer to Cupid’s place and called his neighbour. Since his voice was quite weak due to the hay fever, he thought no one heard his cries for help. He then decided to come even closer to Cupid’s front door and knock at it. He then started to cough really, really load and quite strongly. When he stopped coughing, he realised his neighbour’s home had been destroyed. The two little pigs were running away from him since they were really scared of him.
The wolf, for instance, got very upset for what happened. Therefore, he decided to go to Rudolph’s house. He wanted not just to ask them to help him get the right medication, but also apologise for what happened. He also wanted to say to them that as soon as he got better from the hay fever he would help them reconstruct their homes.
As soon as he arrived at Rudolph’s house, he knocked at the door and waited. He sneezed a bit whilst he waited for them and scratched his nose. It was now looking even more reddish than before. No one opened the door, but he decided to knock at it again. Rudolph came to the window after a while and shouted:
- Please go away, wolf. You won’t be able to destroy this house! We are safe here! You won’t be able to eat us for dinner!
The wolf then explained that he was just an old sick wolf who was looking for help. He wanted someone to go to the Pharmacy to exchange the medicine he bought earlier on for a hay fever one.
- Please, I can’t stop sneezing and coughing. My nose itches and my eyes are really red because I am scratching it so often. Please help! If I could go to the Pharmacy, I would! Otherwise, I will get worse!
The three little pigs couldn’t trust him. They were reluctant to open the door. The old wolf begged them, one more time, whilst he was coughing:
- Please help me. I have hay fever; I need my medication...
The three little pigs looked at the wolf for a while. He seemed like he was very angry. He was also coughing quite intensively.
Rudolph reminded his brothers they should not judge others by their looks. They thought for a while and decided to let the wolf inside. They would then hear what he had to say.
The poor old wolf thanked them and said he had hay fever since childhood. He needed help to get his medicine.
The three little pigs realised the wolf wasn’t as bad as they thought. Although he looked weird, he was a very nice wolf.
Comet then went quickly to the Pharmacy and brought the medication to Zoe. The wolf took the medicine straight away and started to feel better. He thanked them for all help received and apologised for the issues he caused earlier. He promised to the three little pigs he would rebuild the homes he destroyed. They all laughed together when the wolf said his nickname used to be Sneezy when he was a child. Just like the one of the Seven Dwarfs from Snow White.
Rudolph offered fruit juice to all of them. They then went on to sit at the library, far away from the flower pollen. The three little pigs and the wolf now became good friends.
The three little pigs are now always telling their children this story. They want them to realise we should never judge someone by the way they look since could miss out on getting to know a very nice person and becoming friends with him/her. Besides, Comet and Cupid learned that when we need to do something, it is important to do it with care and dedication as their mother thought them. Their houses were not well-constructed and had to be rebuilt because of that.
This story was adapted from The Story of the Three Little Pigs (by Joseph Jacobs).
[Click here] to see and download the PowerPoint which can be used to tell the story.
[Click here] drawings created by Cleusa Lupatini – Spiritist Teacher - Grupo Espírita Seara do Mestre - Santo Ângelo/RS
[Click here] drawings created by Sherazade Gomes – Spiritist Teacher - spiritist centre Centro Espírita Francisco de Assis - Eunápolis/BA
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Once upon a time, a nice, kind and gentle animal lived in the forest with close to other neighbour animals.
[Click here] to see the drawing
One day she was walking around close to some stones. She then saw a broken skate and a tiny ant crying. The ant was called Giddy. She was learning how to skate, fell on the floor and hurt her leg. She ended up destroying her ant colony. Pixy looked after her wound and took her home until the ant colony was fixed by the neighbours. That was a brilliant idea since the ant healed quite quickly. They became friends and enjoyed each others’ company. (please glue a part of the centipede in the board)
One afternoon, Giddy was walking close to a river when she heard a weird noise: Myrtle the turtle was crying. Pixy decided to find out the reason for the sadness and help her somehow. The turtle said she lost her hat during the windstorm from the night before. Her hat protected her from the cold. Without the hat, she would get a cold. Pixy soon solved the problem: she borrowed her had to Giddy until she found hers. The turtle was really thankful and promised to return the hat to Pixy as soon as possible. (please glue a part of the centipede in the board)
On a beautiful sunny morning, Pixy was walking peacefully through the forest. She then saw Vivi. Vivi, the cat, was a bit frightened and completely wet. She lost her little sister Dada whilst they were both going to visit a cousin. Pixy suddenly called all other animals in the surroundings to help them find Dada. With their help, the little cat was soon found. Both sisters were then able to keep their journey together, happily. (please glue a part of the centipede in the board)
One night Pixy was admiring the full moon. She then heard her neighbour crying. He was a dog called Max who just lost his favourite bone. Pixy thought for a while and soon took her lantern out to search for it. She then lighted up the path Max went through. They were able to find his bone in the middle of the flowers. The dog was really happy and thankful for the help he received from his neighbour. (please glue a part of the centipede in the board)
On the other day, Pixy heard some screams when she was getting closer to the forest’s library. She then took a close attention to it and realised some screams came from the middle of some liana which were laying on the floor. She looked close at it and saw a snail trapped in the middle of it. Pixy kindly pulled it from the liana. He thanked her so much for doing that to him. (please glue a part of the centipede in the board)
Pixy got two books from the library. She was going back home peacefully when she realised a cricket insect was crying for help: he was playing at a puddle of water but didn’t realise one of the sides of the puddle was too deep. Zaire fall into the water, but didn’t know how to swim. Pixy threw a cord and pulled him out of the water. She saved him from drowning. He then gave her a big hug. (please glue a part of the centipede in the board)
One Saturday, Pixy was on her way to the Spiritist Teachings. She then realised Peter, her friend who is a frog, was very sad. He was sitting next to the lake, thinking about life. She decided to sit next to him to have a chat. She found out he was sad because his little sister was getting married at a very distant river. He missed her so much. Pixy heard her friend, explained that their love and friendship would still remain the same, as brother and sister. She also told him that it is normal to miss someone. He should make an effort to make new friends now. They agreed to visit Peter’s sister on the following week. The frog then opened a big smile at her. (please glue a part of the centipede in the board)
Every animal in the forest knew Pixy for her kindness and goodness. At her birthday, Pixy’s friends decided to compose a song and sang it to her. Pixy was so happy with this great surprise! She told them Jesus thought us all to help one another and that she felt really happy for being able to do what Jesus thought.
Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
[Beginning]
Once upon a time there was a girl called Cindy who lived in a village with her family. She has a cousin called Leo who lived in a big town and loved to go to Cindy’s home every holiday. He liked to climb the trees, take baths in the river and run into the grass. But he did not know many things about country life and when someone tried to teach him something new, including about dangerous animals, he would say he did not need to know it. He lived in the city and came to the village rarely.
[Click here] Drawings created by Cleusa Lupatini – Spiritist Teacher - Grupo Espírita Seara do Mestre - Santo Ângelo/RS
Near Cindy’s place lived Mr. Joseph. He was a very kind neighbor who was known for his apiary.
One day Leo decided to go for a walk on his own. He then saw some boxes with insects flying around them and got very curious. The boy couldn’t resist and decided to throw some stones at it. The insects then flew in his direction. He was so lucky he found a tank full of water, entered inside and stayed there throwing water at the little bugs until they went away. One insect stung him, unfortunately.
Leo got very angry and promised himself revenge.
On the next day he woke up very early and went to the couch house to find something to kill the insects. He found a bottle labelled “DANGEROUS” with an odd looking liquid inside.
- I do not know what this is, but those bugs will see! – The boy said out loud. He then went to the boxes where the bugs that have persecuted and stung him last night were. He threw the poison and went back to the house to have breakfast with Cindy.
- I am hungry. This honey bread must be delicious.
After some hours, Mr. Joseph came to Cindy’s house feeling very sad because he found many dead bees.
Leo, who was near and heard the conversation, blushed and left the house. He went under a tree and stayed there thinking in the foolishness he had done, passing his hand in the sting. Cindy came and asked if something was wrong. She felt Leo was acting very strange today. The boy decided to tell her everything.
- Did you go mad? Those bugs you killed were bees that gave us the honey you like so much. They work a lot to produce it and deserve our respect. Besides honey, medicines are made of what they produce. There is other serious thing; children should not touch things they do not know. That liquid you got was poison and could have killed you! Think carefully about this and go to Mr. Joseph. You need to apologize and explain everything to him.
The boy has never felt so embarrassed, but did what his cousin said. Mr. Joseph forgave him and explained many things about bees, including about the Queen bee.
Cindy now understood that he did that because he did not have enough knowledge about nature. She decided to teach him some basic things about nature and life in the country side. Leo was astonished in knowing that the honey comes from the bees, the eggs comes from the chicken, the wool comes from sheep’s and so on...
After few lessons he became quite smart and began to get interested in learning more, especially about animals. He even began to say that would be a veterinary when he grows up.
Translator: Cristiane Pizzutti
Carolina von Scharten
[Activity]
[Answer]
[Beginning]
Conserve the life. Say no to the abortion! This was written in a small poster at a school. Anne stopped to look at the beautiful babies that were in that poster. Rodrigo, who was talking to her, stopped as well.
Claudia Schmidt
- I don’t understand why a mother kills a baby who grows in her own belly - thought loudly.
- Some people think while a baby is not born there is no life - answered Rodrigo.
- That’s ridiculous! Don’t they know that the immortal Spirit is joined to the body since the spermatozoon meets the ovule?
Anne was talking quite loudly. Other teenagers stopped for a moment to listen up to her.
- Women should have the rights about their own bodies! - interrupted a girl who was walking over there.
- Every day, we cry out for our rights, but what about the rights of our little ones? The baby is a different life from the mom’s life! Killing a baby is an act of murder! Human life is sacred. In every way, shape or form- Rafaela said.
They have heard the sign and the teenagers had to go to their classroom. While they were walking and talking, more students became interested in the subject.
- What if the mother doesn’t have money to look after the baby? What if the mother is our age? 15 or 16 years old? – Someone wondered
- The mother should have taken care not to get pregnant. When a girl has a "crisis pregnancy," it's time to LOVE THEM BOTH... both mother and child. It’s not a good solution to kill someone who can’t defend him or herself. Have you already pondered for a moment the fact that our moms choose to have us as their children. What if they decided to abort us? – Rodrigo replied.
After he said that to the whole group, there were some silent seconds until Rafaela started talking again:
- There are many people who want to legalize abortion nowadays… Some politicians want to authorize these types of murders, instead of clarifying the mass population in regards to contraceptive methods, planned parenting and the creation of the right conditions for kids to be born in families where parents have jobs and are able to maintain themselves.
The teacher realized the group was quite interested in this topic and decided to entered into the conversation.
- Have you guys heard the story of Michael Clancy? During a spina bifida corrective procedure at twenty-one weeks in utero, baby Samuel thrusts his tiny hand out of the surgical opening of his mother's uterus. As the doctor lifts his hand, baby Samuel reacts to the touch and squeezes the doctor's finger. As if testing for strength, the doctor shakes the tiny fist. Baby Samuel held firm. At that moment, Michael Clancy took a picture called "Fetal Hand Grasp" photo. The baby was alive and wanted to continue living!
The teenagers didn’t know the picture used in many campaigns against abortion. The teacher promised to bring it in the next class.
- What if anyone had already done an abortion. What shall they do? – Anne asked the teacher. She still wasn’t able to understand the reasons why someone killed a baby.
The question had several answers: give care and material things to needy kids, engage in campaigns against the abortion, do volunteer work, adopt orphans kids... One of the students said that, instead of feeling sorry for themselves, they should do good to others.
Since the class was still quite curious about the subject, the teacher encouraged students to write down any questions they might have and make sentences to be commented. They researched, interviewed authorities, scientists, religious and promoted in schools around town an important campaign against the legalization of abortion. They have also created a play. Everyone had a chance to participate on this campaign for the preservation of life.
Translator: Viviane Ferreira
[Beginning]
Near the place where Zequinha lives with his parents there is a small river, which used to be much bigger years ago. Zequinha’s daddy usually says that he used to fish a lot in this river when he was a kid. After that the fish started disappearing, and nowadays it’s really hard for someone to find fish in it.
Cleusa Lupatini
This river was partially responsible for the water that would be distributed into the city. Unfortunately many people have wasted this gift from God and haven’t thought about the consequences of their attitude. Zequinha has also wasted water. Every time he took a shower his mom had to drag his attention: “Zequinha, that’s enough. You have already finished your shower. Please stop waiting water. Thank you!
He never turned off tap while cleaning his teeth or washing his face. He even wasted a lot of water when he washed his hands since he never made sure the tap was properly closed. There were always water leaks dropping from it.
His mom always had to pay a close attention to his behaviour. He used to tell her: “All right, I’ll get some coins from my pig bank to help you paying the water bill! He thought his mom complained with him because of money.
On the next day his dad taught him that is important not waste money, but even more important was not to waste water. He told him that all of us should know how to use this treasure God gave us because we are going to need it forever.
But Zequinha didn’t seem to be very interested… He didn’t even care to throw rubbish in the bin. He would even throw rubbish in public places; such as his local river.
One day, Zequinha had a dream while sleeping. It was actually a nightmare! He was walking on the river’s bridge on his way back from school. He threw a plastic cup into the river. He stared at the water and circles that were formed by the plastic cup since it submerged into the water. Then, out of a sudden, something weird happened… The river looked angry, agitated and made a noise that resembled someone moaning.
The boy couldn’t get what was going on, since the water had an odd shape. He could see eyes and mouths which were formed among that moving water quite clearly. This form of face than talked to him: “I am the water guardian and I am getting pretty sad with all these things that have been happening! People don’t respect the rivers. Many people think that they are big trash storehouses. They forget that garbage should be put in the rubbish bin! Think about what you are doing, the way the water has been used and never ever throw away anything in the rivers! If you behave in a disrespectful way towards the rivers, you are disrespecting our Great Father, because He gave us water for us to use it with wisdom. Think, think, think…
Suddenly the big bubble started to disappear. The voice started to vanish… The river then threw the plastic cup away. Instead of a river, Zequinha could just see dry soil. It was as if the river left out of nowhere!
Zequinha trembled just like a leaf. The sun was really hot and he began to feel thirsty. He then woke up: “Oh!! What a terrible nightmare, I need to drink some water!”. While he was drinking water, he started thinking about his dream and immediately closed the tap.
On that morning, he told his dream to his mom. He said that from now onwards he could understand why she used to complain so much about his water waste.
Zequinha learned great lesson and within the next few days everybody could see a difference in his attitudes. He started to ask his friends and classmates to be more respectful towards water, such a wonderful gift from God.
Translator: Viviane Ferreira
[Beginning]
Once upon a time there was a parakeet called Currupaco. It lived in a very tall tree and it was known by that name because it used to mock other animals from the neighborhood, besides talking a lot.
Camille Scholl
One Day, Currupaco saw Mrs Duck running out of breath, trying to get rid of some flies that were annoying it.
- Go away, flies, please leave me alone! You are disturbing my work!
The parakeet found that scene very funny and began to imitate Mrs. Duck. It pretended it was the duck’s shadow and repeated everything the poor little Duck was saying.
- Stop imitating me, your nosy parakeet! – says Mrs Duck. Unfortunately, that did not work, because the parakeet was enjoying the new trick.
The flies finally decided to go way. Currupaco, after feeling quite tired, left as well.
The wiser baboon Roni, who was a very smart monkey, watched everything from distance and decided to talk to Currupaco.
- My friend! Why have you done this with Mrs. Duck, and with all other animals in the forest? I have observed the way you mock, tease, disturb everyone’s life. We should not act like that!
Currupaco didn’t care about the baboon’s advice and then began to imitate the monkey too. Roni went away, but before it left a message:
- We can not buy friendship. We have to conquer it with kindness and respect. If you behave this way you will never have friends. The baboon then asked a question that made the parakeet ponder….
- Do you have friends?
After thinking a lot, Currupaco realized that the monkey was right. He never had one single friend.
- Firstly, I need to apologize to whom I hurt. After that, I will treat all my mates with respect. I won’t repeat the mistakes I have made so far. I will also help everyone too.
By changing his behaviour, the parakeet Currupaco became close friends with every animal in the neighborhood. It learned that it was much happier now since he was acting quite different than before; treating everyone with kindness and love.
drawings created by Sherazade Gomes – Spiritist Teacher - spiritist centre Centro Espírita Francisco de Assis - Eunápolis/BA
Translator: Cristiane Pizzutti
[Drawings] [Have fun!]
[Activity]
[Beginning]
Has anyone ever heard off a tree that, besides bearing fruits and flowers, also provided food? I mean, bean, rice, meat, salad? Well, that tree really existed once…. It was a very special tree because it relates to the beginning of a beautiful story.
Claudia Schmidt
Once upon a time, there was a lady called Mary who was a spiritist and a very generous woman. Mary was always concerned with the people who were in hunger, near her house. One day, she found a way to help them: in front of her house there was a beautiful tree and every day she hanged a bag on that tree. Inside this bag she placed different sorts of food in milk boxes which were previously cleaned and carefully stowed: rice, bean, bread, meat and whatever else she prepared for her own lunch.
One day, Mary realized the bag with food vanished as soon as it was placed on the tree. She felt so curious she started to peek what was happening. She then saw that a child who was about six years old, wearing torn clothes. This child was there, waiting for the food to come. Once the food was placed inside the bag, the child would get it and eat it eagerly under the shadow of the tree.
His name was Titus. This child lived nearby with his mother. She was a widow and had other three boys older than Titus. At home, there was not much food around which is the reason why Titus always expected anxiously for the food lady Mary prepared.
Lady Mary decided to approach the boy in order to help him. She started to chat with him and soon later they get acquainted. She promised him a chocolate cake for the next day.
They were soon having lunch together. Lady Mary improved the quality of the food so the boy could grow strong and healthy. When Ruth, Titus’ mother, fell ill and could not work, Lady Mary prepared more food so Ruth and Titus’ brothers could have lunch too.
In the next coming years, Lady Mary encouraged Titus to study. She gave him school material and followed closely his school progress.
Titus’ family has also been helped. They were sent to the Spiritist Center that Lady Mary went every week. There they received clothes, food, educational and spiritual guidance. Ruth started to work at Dona Maria’s house helping her in the home tasks. They became really close friends.
The two women attended together the study groups in the Spiritist Center. Titus attended the classes of spiritist education with great joy. The boy was growing up in age and knowledge; he was a dedicated student and always showed, with proud, the school report to Lady Mary. She was delighted to find out the boy was a first class student. As the time went by, the friendship between Lady Mary Titus grew stronger….
Some years passed by and Titus got his first job in a factory near his house. Lady Mary was the first one to find out about it. She was also the first one to know about his decision to work at the spiritist center, which was a great joy for Lady Mary.
Many years passed by. Lady Mary became a friendly old lady and Titus became a responsible, charitable and honest man.
When Dona Maria fell ill, Titus and his girlfriend looked after her for a long time. Lady Mary’s last words were directed to both of them:
“I am so glad you are with me today. It is really true: everything good we do, will always come back to us, in return.”
[Beginning]
“What if Jesus comes to visit me?” I have got homework for my religious class which is about this question... It counts two points in my grades... I have got to do it. But, first, shouldn’t I think what does Jesus think about me?
Since I think he knows me, I would start by saying in order to impress Him that I know I am a Spirit who incarnated in a body to learn and evolve. I would also mention I have chosen my parents before reincarnate. I would also say that I am trying to develop those qualities that He thought when he was here, more than two thousand years ago, like charity, love, respect, forgiveness, patience...
I know that I am a good student. I study hard and I obey my teachers but, will I have to show Him my room? I think he will not care the mess in my room… He wouldn’t approve the war games I have got in my computer... And what if he wants to see my grades?
What if he starts questioning me? What if He asks about my fights with my sister? Should I have to tell Him I reckon I am a little impatient with her and, often, it’s me who begins the quarrels?
What about my friends? What shall I say to Jesus? I have many friends. Although we are different, we get along very well. We don’t fight and, usually, I don’t gossip about them, unless some hot ones... But what about those boys of that gang I don’t like? What should I say? I must think about this.
I’m gonna say that I am an honest boy: I don’t lie, I don’t steal, and I don’t borrow things without permission. And I don’t cheat in, because I believe it’s always better to tell the truth.
What my parents? Well, yes, I obey them, although I complain a lot about doing my chores, or taking a shower, doing my bed...
I always do my prayers, and I thank God for all I have: my family, my home, my school, my friends, my clothes and, of course, my toys. But I think that I will have to promise Him that when my father says: "Turn off the PC now", I will turn it off on the spot and not half an hour later.
What if He asks me if I know the consequences of my attitudes? Well, in most situations yes I do. I know the law of cause and effect, the law of reincarnation and also the law of love to my neighbor and to God. I know I fail sometimes, but I think I’m I trying to live this life to learn good values and be a nice guy.
Indeed, God has been kind to me; kind in sending Jesus, our elder brother to show us the good way... I will say this to Jesus, too. And thank Him for embodying on Earth to teach us how to love and to evolve.
I think that I’ll also ask Jesus to help me to follow the path of good, and to be more related to my protector Spirit, so he can intuit me on that way.
I wonder if I can hug Him to thank the visit!
And you, did you realize what you would say if Jesus comes to visit you?
Wow, just answering all these questions, I realize that I have done my homework. Thanks Jesus!
Claudia Schmidt
[Activity]
[Beginning]
Tim arrived at the pediatric clinic with a sad and distant look. His grandmother soon was saying to the pediatrician that he should be sick, because he wasn’t eating well.
The pediatrician, a young and sympathetic female doctor, began to talk with the child, while examining him. Tim told her how much he was missing his mother, who died a few months ago.
They continued to talk for a while. After a short moment of silence, Tim sighed and said resentfully:
- I hate God! He took my mother away!
The pediatrician carefully noted how difficult it was for the child to talk about the death of his mother.
The Doctor tried to comfort him. She told Tim God had also taken her mother when she was still a little girl. She said she now understands each person has certain period of life time on Earth. They also need to departure at the right time, when their time comes. She saw that the boy was paying attention and decided to continue:
- God took my mother and yours. He must be taking very good care of them, don’t you think so? I’m sure that they are now in a very nice place with houses, schools, flowers and trees. They must be studying and working, together with other mothers and fathers. They are watching and taking care of us from wherever they are because we still are their children.
Tim and his grandmother continued to look at the pediatrician very attentively and without saying anything as she concluded:
- Did you know that you can pray, asking to meet your mother during your sleep? Sometimes I do that and I know that it really happens; that we talk and that she embraces me during my sleep. I may not remember the dream next morning, but I always wake up feeling joyful and with the assurance that I was with her.
Tim remained muted until the end of the consultation. When he left, the pediatrician stood thinking how good it would be if he knew the Spiritist Doctrine. It would be so good if he could understand that life does not end with the death of the physical body. In the Spiritual World, the Spirit follows its evolutionary journey and that the bonds of love that unite us to our beloved ones, do not end.
The pediatrician met Tim’s grandmother a few days later. The grandmother told her that the child, as soon as he left the clinic, asked: “Grandmother, do you think it is true what the pediatrician said about me meeting mom?” When the grandmother replied that she was absolutely sure that everything was as it was said, she saw a timid smile on Tim’s face.
She also said that both, grandmother and grandchild, started to pray for Tim’s mother to meet him during his sleep.
- Tim is getting better now; he is more joyous and eating normally, said the grandmother smiling. - Now when someone wonders about his mother, he always answers: "God is taking care of her!"
This story is based on real facts. It warns us to be careful about what we say to children in the death of a loved relative. If we lie, say he/she had travelled or even "blame God" for their death, these types of attitudes may mark them for life. It is always better to tell them the truth, emphasizing God’s love and wisdom, and the justice of His laws.
Claudia Schmidt
[Beginning]
– “Mother, can you please give me a mobile?
– Lara was asking her mother once again for the same thing.
– “Lara, we’ve already talked about this matter...” said her mother.
– “But, mother, I need one very badly...” said the girl, insisting that she must have one.
– “Is that so? Well, let’s do a test. Now, take a pen and a piece of paper and start writing everything you think you MUST have. – challenged her mother.
Lara decided to take on the challenge. On the next day, Lara’s list was already enormous. Influenced by TV ads and persuaded by her friends, she demanded not only the mobile, but also some toys, some coloring pens, Disney clothes, the YES shampoo, candies and many, many things more .
– “Now – said her mother – the next step for you is to cross out everything that YOU think we don’t have enough money to buy. Remember that we must pay the mortgage, your school, the water and light bills… Please don’t forget that we need food for all month long.”
– “Right – said Lara – I understood your point.”
She began, then, to cross out the Disney clothes, the expensive tennis shoe and many other things she thought her father wouldn’t have money to buy. After she crossed these things out of the list, her mother explained to her she should evaluate the USEFULNESS and NEED of things. Were the coloring pens REALLY necessary? What about the toys? She thought for a moment if she really needed them, since she already have some coloring pencils in her school bag? Lara’s list got shorter, as she c crossed out many things.
– “Right, –Lara’s mother said – you now have to cross out everything you want just because your friends have or because they are cool or fashioned.
Lara pondered for a moment. After a few minutes, there were only a few things remaining in the long list Clara had written. Her mother than asked her again:
– “Now, my dear, are the remained things REALLY important to you?
The girl started thinking...
– “Did you realize, honey, that the things we think we need aren’t really necessary or important?
– “Yes, the girl replied – but we need many things to survive...”
– “It’s true –her mother agreed. “But sometimes we imagine we need objects that are superfluous or we can’t afford. It’s not wrong to want some comfort and to benefit from what we have. But life’s main goal isn’t to possess material things.”
– “We are worth for what we ARE and not for what we HAVE, isn’t that mother?”
– “That’s right, – said Lara’s mother affectionately. Each person should be loved for what she is and for what she does to earn the virtues taught by Jesus: love, peace, forgiveness, charity… The real happiness does not rely on what we can buy, but on the peace and love that we have in our hearts.
Thus, Lara understood that she was asking for something superficial for her life.
Mother and daughter agreed Lara won’t get a mobile just because it is fashioned or because her friends have one. When she really has the need for one and if her parents could afford to buy one, she will get it.
Cláudia Schmidt
[Have fun!]
[Beginning]
Once upon a time, an elephant called Zezé was unhappy. He found himself overweighed and awkward. He actually wanted to look like the giraffe Filó. However when he confided to her friend Filó his dream of being slender and elegant like she was, she discovered that Filó found herself too tall and did not like her neck. She told him she dreamed of looking like Lico, the deer: agile, swift and with the right body.
Zezé and Filó decided to look for Lico. They then discovered he considered himself too weak and he dreamed of being as strong as Ian, the lion. The group decided to overcome their fear and search for Ian. They wanted to ask him how it was to be strongest; the king of the forest. But they found him sad and solitary. Ian told them he had few friends because he was known for being furious and everyone was afraid of being eaten by him.
The group were unsuccessful in finding out who was the best animal. They decided to conduct a beauty contest to select the most beautiful; the ideal animal of the forest. They search for Zilá, the owl, to establish together the contest rules.
Zilá was a scholar in animal behavior and surprised them with what she said:
- What matters who is the most beautiful, the ideal animal? God created each animal in a special way, each one with his own characteristics. And there is the beauty of creation. Have you already thought what would happen if there were only lions; or only giraffes?
Zilá also explained that each animal has his own virtues and it is important that each one accepts himself the way he or she is. We need to appraise the goodness each one has and strive to become someone even better, developing qualities such as love, forgiveness, respect and friendship.
Zezé, Filó, Lico and Ian thought about what Zilá had said and decided not to conduct the beauty contest.
Zezé stopped complaining about his weight and started a diet program. Filó accepted herself as she was; tall and slender. Lico became more joyous and satisfied with his life and Ian now tries to be a sympathetic and even-tempered lion, trying to get along with new friends.
Thus, everyone is cooperating in their own way, eager to make the forest a better place to live in.
Claudia Schmidt
[Beginning]