Ernani was a quiet coworker who kept to himself for personal reasons. The others often played pranks on him, until one day when Mauro planned to give Ernani only fish guts instead of a portion. However, when Ernani explained that the fish would allow his family to have a good meal for the first time in years, the others realized they did not truly know Ernani and his difficult situation, having to care for his disabled wife and children alone. They gave Ernani their fish portions instead, and later helped support his children after his wife passed. The story teaches the importance of showing interest in others' lives before judging them.

1. Ernani’s story

2. I once worked for an engineering company. That’s where I met Mauro. He was a big guy who liked to joke around and play pranks on people.

3. There was also Ernani, who was a bit older than the rest of us. Always very quiet, peaceable and distant, Ernani used to have lunch on his own. He would never take part in the jokes we played after lunch. Instead, he would always sit under a tree far away from the group.

4. Because of his behaviour, our group constantly picked on Ernani. One day it was a frog in his lunch box, another day a dead mouse in his hat. Strangely enough, he’d always accept the jokes without getting angry.

5. One weekend, Mauro decided to go fishing. He promised us that if he was successful, he’d give us some fish. When he returned, we were all happy when he told us that he had caught some big gilthead breams.

6. Mauro, however, called us aside and told us that he was going to play a prank on Ernani. Each one of us would receive the fish as promised, but Ernani would get a bigger packet with all the fish guts.

7. “ It’s gonna be so funny when Ernani opens it up just to find bones, skin and guts!”

8. Mauro gave out his packets at lunch time. We opened them and found big portions of fish, and we all thanked him. But Mauro left the largest one for last. It was Ernani’s.

9. We all wanted to laugh, but Mauro looked serious. As usual, Ernani was sitting own his own. Mauro gave Ernani the parcel and we couldn’t wait to see what would happen. Ernani was not very talkative. Sometimes, we wouldn’t even notice that he was around. In three years, he probably hadn’t said a hundred words altogether. That’s why his attitude surprised us.

10. He took the parcel and raised it slowly, with a big smile on his face. That was when we noticed that his eyes were shining. For a few seconds, he could barely control his feelings and his throat was quivering.

11. “ I knew you would not forget me,” he said. “I knew it! You’re a prankster, but I knew you had a good heart.”

12. “ I know I haven’t been a good friend to you, but it’s not intentional. You know, I’ve got five children, and my wife is disabled. She’s been bedridden for four years. I’m aware that she’ll never get better. Sometimes, when she feels sick, I have to spend the night looking after her. A big slice of my salary has to go to doctors and medication.”

13. “ The children do what they can to help, but it’s been very hard to bring home the bread. Maybe you find it weird that I always have lunch on my own... It’s because I feel ashamed. Sometimes I eat only bread. Today, for example, I had only one potato for lunch.”

14. “ But I want you to know that this portion of fish means a lot to me. Probably, more than it means to anyone of you. That’s because tonight my children...” He dried his tears with the back of his hand, and continued, “Tonight, after years, my children will finally have...” And he began opening the parcel.

15. We were paying so much attention to what Ernani was saying that we didn’t notice Mauro’s reaction. All of a sudden, Mauro jumped on the parcel trying to snatch it from Ernani’s hands. But it was too late. Ernani had already opened the parcel and was now examining each fish bone, skin, intestines and tail.

16. It was meant to be funny, but nobody laughed. So we all bowed our heads. The worst part was when Ernani, trying to smile, said the same thing we had said: “Thank you!” In silence, one by one, all of us took our parcels and put them in front of Ernani. After many years, we had finally understood who Ernani truly was.

17. One week later, Ernani’s wife passed away, and each one of us began to help his five children. Thanks to their fighting spirit, they succeeded in life:

18. Carlos, the youngest one, became a doctor. Fernanda, Paula and Luisa opened their own bussiness. The oldest son, Ernani Jr, became an engineer. In fact, he’s the director of the same company where we worked.

19. Mauro has retired, but he still likes to play around. But now, in a very different way. He has organised nine groups of volunteers who distribute toys to children in hospital and entertain them with games and story-telling.

20. Sometimes, we live with people for many years, only to find out that we barely know them. We never pay attention to them; we show no interest in what’s going on with them; we turn a blind eye to their needs and problems.

21. Let us bear in mind the Lord Jesus ’ teaching that says: “ As I have loved you [...] Also love one another.” John 13:34

22. The reason why I am telling Ernani’s story is to wake us up. Have we been like Mauro and his friends? If the answer is yes, we still have time to change. I don’t know if this story is real. All I know is that it’s a lesson for life.