Peter was a very
naughty boy.
Whenever he was
quiet, his mom
knew he was
planning
something...
Peter was not
only naughty,
but also he lied
a lot.
Whenever he
would get
caught, he would
make up stories.
He had a very
creative
imagination so
he would come up
with stories to
justify his
behaviour; he
would normally
blame his older
sister Clare.
Their dog was
called Bill. One
day he arrived
home with oily
spots all over
his fur. The
poor little
animal tried to
get clean but
couldn’t get rid
of the oil. He
was just about
to desperate,
the poor thing.
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Peter’s mom was
called Juliet.
When she saw the
poor little dog
depressed and
tired, she then
thought to
herself: Peter
did something to
the poor little
dog! |
She immediately
called her son.
— Peter! What
have you done to
Bill?
— Me? Nothing,
mom! What
happened? — he
said calmly.
— Don’t lie to
me, son. See how
Bill is like.
Poor thing!
She then showed
the dog to the
little boy and
asked:
— What have you
done to him?
— It wasn’t me,
mom. It was
Clare! She
dropped oil on
his fur! It was
the oil you
normally use to
clean the
furniture! — he
said.
— Don’t lie to
me, Peter. Your
sister is at
your grandma’s
house since
yesterday,
remember? She
would never do
such thing.
The little boy
looked us, as he
always did when
he was lying. He
then suggested:
— I think it was
the dog that
took it and
spilt on
himself.
— How would Bill
do that?— his
mom asked,
looking like she
wasn’t believing
him at all.
— Well, I think
Bill jumped,
opened the
cupboard and
spilled the oil
around his body.
— Is that what
you want me to
believe, Peter?
— his mom looked
at him quite
angry, with her
hands around her
waist.
The little boy
looked down,
feeling ashamed
of himself. He
knew his story
didn’t work this
time.
— All right,
mom. I was the
one who did it.
I just wanted to
see Bill with
bright fur, just
as Clare when
she sunbathes!
— It’s good you
said the truth,
my son. Lying is
very bad.
Whoever lies
will not be
taken seriously.
There comes a
time when no one
will believe
him. The truth
could seem
difficult in the
beginning, but
when we face it
it’s such great
relief. When
your conscious
is at peace
there is nothing
to fear. Got it?
Peter shook his
head, agreeing
with his mom.
— Now my son,
what do you
think you should
do?
— Well, you said
we always need
to repay evil.
— That’s right.
Sometimes we
can’t repair at
that moment,
depending on the
mistake. For
example: if you
gave something
that could harm
Bill’s health,
he might fall
sick and even
die!
The little boy
loved his dog so
much. As soon as
he heard his
mom’s words, he
was just about
to cry as he
realised what he
might have done.
— You are right,
mom. I will be
more responsible
from now on. I
am almost eight
years old now.
What will be my
punishment?
— I won’t punish
you, son. I want
you to think and
decide what
needs to be
done.
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— Thank you,
mom. Trust me. I
will look after
Bill.
Peter then ran
to the garden
and, ten minutes
later, hi mom
looked through
the window. She
saw the little
boy giving the
dog a bath. The
little animal
looked so happy
and satisfied!
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He also dried
and combed the
little dog.
Peter then took
him close to his
mom, so she
could see it.
The boy was now
so happy; he
looked even more
mature.
— I will look
after my friend
Bill from now
on, mom. I also
promise not to
lie about
anything or
anyone else to
anyone.
Aunt Celia
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