Can't she hurry up?
A tale of patience and understanding
Angelica loved to go on walks with her mom, exploring the vibrant streets and greeting everyone with a bright smile. One sunny afternoon, as Angelica and her mom were walking down the main street, they saw an old lady moving very slowly in front of them.
Angelica, full of energy, was eager to keep moving quickly. She tugged at her mom’s hand and said, “Mom, why is that lady ambling? Can’t she hurry up?”
Her mom smiled gently and squeezed Angelica’s hand. “Let’s be patient, Angelica,” she said. They slowed down their pace, matching the old lady’s speed. As they sauntered behind her, Angelica noticed the old lady’s kind eyes and the soft smile she gave to everyone who passed by.
When they finally reached a bench, the old lady rested. Angelica and her mom sat down on a nearby bench. Angelica’s curiosity got the best of her, and she asked, “Mom, why can’t the old lady walk faster like us?”
Her mom looked at Angelica and said, “Well, Angelica, we all move at our own pace. It’s wonderful that you can move quickly and have so much energy, but as we grow older, our bodies slow down, and we need to take our time. It’s important to understand and respect the pace of others, just as we enjoy our own speed.”
Angelica thought about it for a moment and nodded. “So, it’s like when I run fast and my little brother can’t keep up. I should wait for him because we all have different speeds?”
“Exactly,” her mom said with a warm smile. “We are all humans, and everyone has their own strengths and limitations. Being happy with your own abilities is great, but understanding and being patient with others is just as important. It makes the world a kinder place.”
Angelica looked over at the old lady, who was now waving at a young boy who had dropped his toy. The boy smiled and waved back, running to pick up his toy. Angelica realised that the old lady’s slow pace allowed her to notice and appreciate the little things that others might miss in their hurry.
From that day on, Angelica made sure to be patient and kind, whether she was waiting for her little brother or an elderly neighbour. She learned that moving fast was fun, but sometimes, slowing down to understand and help others was even more special.
And so, Angelica continued her walks with her mom, greeting everyone with an even brighter smile, knowing that kindness and patience made her world a happier place.
