The Medallion [short story]

Title

Creator

Uncle Jorge

Language

English

Source

The Young Citizen. 2 (3) April 1936

Year

1936

Subject

Children's stories

Religious medals

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

Awif. J!l.16 THE YOUNG CITIZEN 79 The Medallion By Uncle Jorge UAN was the younirest J of four bovs in a familv. He was a sensitive child and he wanted very much to be loved by his parents. But even though he was the youngest, his parents did not pay him much attention. He felt unhappy in his own home. He loved his mother very much, but his mother had many other things to think about, so he did not know how to please her. Only one person in the wol"ld loved little Juan, and this was his grandmot!>QJ', a rich old lady who visited them three times a week. She was always ready to listrn to Juan's childish troubles. She even sharerl his secrets. One Sunday morning, Juan went with his family to attend mass at the Quiapo church. After the mass. Juan remained behind. He did not see his parents go, so he stayed in the front pew where he was able to find a seat. The priest noticed that he was alone. He beckoned to him. "You are a good boy, Juan," the priest said. "I shall give you a medallion which has the face of our Lord engraved on it. Keep it, and it will help you be a good and God-loving boy." "Thank you, Father," Juan said, and putting the medallion in his pocket, he went home. Once at home, Juan wanted to show the medallior, to his mother. He went to her and said : "Mother, please wear this medallion. I shall be happy to see you wearing . something I gave you." She thanked Juan, but she did not wear the medallion. She went to her husband who was stroking a rooster which he was taking to the cock pit. "Here is something which might bring you luck," she said, and handed him the medallion. Without looking at it, Juan's father placed it in his pocket. The next day, he asked his son. Pepe, to buy some cigarettes for him. When Pepe returned with the cigarettes, he emptied his pockets and found the medal1 ion. He gave it to Pepe. Pepe went away with the m~dallion. At the foot of the stairs, he met his brother Ben. Ben was spinning a top. "I shall give you this medallion if you will give me that top." Pepe offered. Ben got the medallion. He thought of the new sling shot which Pedro, his younger bl'Other, owned. He looked for Pedro. Pedro was aiming at a chicken. He let loose his sling shot, and the chicken ran. Both boys laughed. "Pedro," Ben said, "would you like something for your sling shot?" "What will you give me?" Pedro asker!, interested. "This," said Ben, and he showed Pedro the gleaming medallion. In a few moments, Pecll'O walked awav with the medallion. • Two days afterwards, the Grandmother arrived. (r()1;ti11111•d on 1Ufge .97) Missing page

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