Seven year old Vava was endowed with a good heart and could not bear to see anyone being mistreated by someone else.
 

As he got close to Bob, the guy grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and, almost lifting him off the ground, screamed in a deep voice:
 

	- How dare you, kid, kick this ball at me? I'll give you a beating to see if you learn to respect those who are passing by, do you hear me? Trembling like a leaf in the wind, Bob stammered: - I'm... sorry, s-sir. I-I... didn't m-mean to... hit you! - But the ball almost hit me, you little brat! ...
And the man raised his hand to hit Bob. Seeing that, Vava stood between them and shouted:

- Stop right there! You will not beat up my friend because he is not guilty! Don't you see it, you coward? Look at your size and then his! Aren't you ashamed of assaulting a child?... Go find someone your own size!...

Seeing that little boy between him and the other boy, pointing a finger at him, the big man stopped. He lowered his outstretched arm and turned to Vava:

- Who are you, boy?

- It doesn't matter. I'm Bob's friend and you're threatening him.

The big man looked at the two boys, put his hand on his head, and then sat on the curb, muttering:

- I do not know what happened to me. I apologize. I'm not well.

Vava ran to his house and brought the giant a glass of water. He took the water and drank it all in one gulp. Then with his hands on his head he said as he sobbed:

- I do not know what happened to me. I'm devastated. I got fired from my job and now I don't know how to get another one. What will I do? ...

The boys exchanged a look full of compassion and Vava asked:

- What skills do you have?

- I have been involved with metal work for over thirty years. I have never had to beg for a living. Now I do not know what to do! My family is starving...

The boys sat beside him on the curb and tried to give him encouragement by saying:

- Courage! My father always says that everything is resolved in due time... - Bob said.

- It's true! Everything will be resolved, we have to believe in God! - completed Vava, who after some thinking, considered:

- My father works for a big company. Maybe he can get you a job?

- You think so?

- I do. It's time for him to come home. Would you like to come too? First, however, let's say a prayer, asking for the help of Jesus. - Vava proposed.

Benedict accepted. He really needed God's help.

So Vava said a short prayer asking Jesus to help his friend Benedict who really needed help to find work and provide a better life for his family.
 

After the prayer, more serene, Benedito accompanied the boys to Vava's house and that is when they saw the boy's father arriving. Vava told his father about Benedict's problem and he promised to help him. He called the company and, right then, he learned that there was a vacancy as a helper. - Will you accept it? - he asked Benedict. - Of course! I accept it with much gratitude, sir.

- So the job is yours. And if a better vacancy opens up in the workshop, who knows... maybe you might get it!

Very moved, Benedict thanked him:

- Thank you, sir. I would also like to thank Bob and Vava because if it were not for them I would not get this job. God bless you!

They parted now as friends and everyone was happy.

Bob looked at Vava and commented:

- If it were not for your courage in defending me, none of this would have happened. You were brave, Vava!

- That's what you think, Bob! I was very afraid of him and my legs were shaking! But I was even more afraid to see him attack you, my friend Bob!

Both were moved but then they looked at each other and burst into laughter. Then embraced each other glad to have solved the problem in the best way for everyone!

MEIMEI
 

(Psychographed by Celia X. de Camargo on 12/09/2013.)