The parable of good and bad deeds

Oscar starts doing good things

The next day, Oscar said he understood everything and knew what to do. After saying goodbye to Grandpa, he and Mickey flew home. There, he took a piece of paper and a pencil and they flew to the Fair of Life shop, where his friend Mickey usually gets his deeds and actions. He asked him to write down all the deeds and actions that he loves to do on the paper. After that, they flew to his house to have tea with raspberry.

— I'll close my shop for now, I won't sell deeds that snakes offer. There's not much point in selling deeds from Sunny Street either, not many people buy them. I'll just waste time sitting in the shop doing nothing. I'll do deeds and actions from the list you wrote for me myself. If your house is strong, then these are good deeds. And then my house will also be warm and strong, — Oscar said decisively and began to study the list of deeds intently:

— So, not much here. But at least there's something to choose from, and that's good, — Oscar said with interest, trying to find something familiar on the list, — «To learn homework and get a good grade», — well, of course I'll try, — Oscar stretched out with a creak and continued to read on, — «Wash and feed a homeless kitten or puppy. Take them to a shelter or leave them at home», — ugh, they stink and shed so much, I won't be able to clean myself after that! — Oscar grumbled, — okay, let's keep reading. «Help a friend solve a problem». Can't he do it himself? — Oscar objected, — Let him learn better! «Comfort and help someone who's crying». He brought it on himself, now he'll learn his lesson! And the deeds you choose, my friend, — Oscar exclaimed in surprise, — let's keep reading… «Give to a beggar on the street», another one! If they give him something, he'll just keep begging! «Learn all your lessons until your mom checks them. Only then go out to play with your friends». Yeah, who's going to wait for me to study while everyone else has fun and goes home… I usually take the action «lie, say I did everything and go out to play», — I get more bricks for that one…

— Well, where are your bricks? — Mickey asked.

— Yes, you're right, my friend… So, what else is there, something more serious? — Oscar continued listing the tasks and deeds from Mickey's list: — «to help mom clean the house», — well, okay, we'll help, my house is also home, — said Oscar and continued, — «the whole helping a friend fill barrels for watering the garden all day long». Hauling! This isn't even my garden, I have plenty of my own tasks! Usually, I pick the deed «refuse a friend's help, come up with something important». It's easy and promotes imagination! And they give you lots of bricks. Alright, next up is «make peace with an opponent», what kind of news is that!? — Oscar exclaimed, surprised and angry, — that's why they're an opponent, to argue with them! I don't know how to do these kinds of things. I've never done anything like it. And most importantly, why bother? A couple of bricks here, a handful there. It won't make much difference. I need to build a house, I can't live with you forever! — Oscar finished grimly and set the list aside.

— Well, try it out. It doesn't have to take forever. Just one brick at a time, and before you know it, you'll have built a strong and cozy home for yourself, — his friend replied.

— Alright, my friend, but in that case, I'll stay with you for a while, if you don't mind? — Oscar asked.

— Of course not. You can sleep on my soft bed, and I'll take the couch by the fireplace. Everything will be fine! — Mickey answered joyfully.

And so, the friends decided. Oscar promised to only do tasks and deeds from Mickey's list. He worked diligently every day at the fair of life, from morning until late at night, not even having time for tea and jam, all while dreaming of a big house and noisy parties with friends in it.