2. Aling Clarita is a widow who makes a living by tending a small store in
her hometown. She is a cheerful person who never shows impatience
toward her neighbors, even when they cannot pay for the things they
get from her store on time. She always tells herself that this is the
way of helping them even when she, herself, experiences difficulties.
Among her friends are two elementary school boys, Dodong
and Nal, who lived on the other side of a nearby mountain. Every day,
before going to school, they would stop by her store to rest a little.
3. One day, Aling Clarita observes that the boys share only pair of
slippers.They take turns wearing them. During rainy days, Dodong
would ask Manang Clarita for a pail of water to wash off the sticky
mud on the soles of their feet and slippers.
Aling Clarita also notices that when she talks to the boys, their
eyes would stray to the biscuits inside her store. One morning, Aling
Clarita tells the boys, “Dodong and Nal, come sit here and eat some
biscuits”.The boys are surprised but delighted. From that day on, the
three of them share happy mornings, eating biscuits together.
4. When November comes, Aling Clarita learns from a sad Nal that he
will be needing a pair of black shoes for their Moving Up Ceremony
next year. Aling Clarita knows that her young friend cannot afford
new shoes. She says to Nal, “God knows how to help you. Just wait
and see”.
As the new year comes Nal grows even sadder. He tells Aling
Clarita that he will not attend the ceremony because his father
cannot afford to buy him new shoes. Aling Clarita listens to him while
preparing a box at the backroom of her store. Little do the boys know
that she that she has sacrificing her needs to save some money every
day.
5. When the brothers come to Aling Clarita’s store the next
afternoon, she gently asks the boys to sit down while she takes out a
box and gives it to Nal. She asks him to remove his slippers.
“God heard your prayers,” she says. “Here is a pair of shoes for
your Moving Up Ceremony, Nal”.
6. The tow boys cannot help but smile as Nal opens the box. Nal
tries on his new pair of shoes and feel that more good things will
happen in the future. He thanks Aling Clarita for her kindness and
promises to study hard, so he can help his family someday. He also
gives her his word that one day, he will return her kindness in any
way.
Aling Clarita simle and says, “There in no need to return the
favor, Nal.Your promise to do well is enough for me”.
