The eraser asked the pencil:
– How are you, my friend?
The pencil replied angrily:
– I’m not your friend. I hate you.
The eraser, surprised and saddened, asked:
– Why?
The pencil replied:
– Because you erase what I write.
The eraser said:
– I only erase mistakes.
The pencil asked:
– And why do you do that?
The eraser replied:
– I’m an eraser; that’s my job.
The pencil retorted:
– That’s not a job!
The eraser continued:
– My job is just as useful as yours.
The pencil said harshly:
– You’re wrong and arrogant because the one who writes is better than the one who erases.
The eraser replied:
– Removing what is wrong is just as important as writing what is right.
The pencil fell silent for a moment, then said sadly:
– But I see that every day you’re getting smaller.
The eraser responded:
– That’s because each time I erase a mistake, I sacrifice a part of myself.
The pencil, with a rough voice, said:
– I also feel shorter than before.
The eraser comforted it, saying:
– We can’t do good for others unless we’re willing to sacrifice a part of ourselves.
Then, looking kindly at the pencil, the eraser asked:
– Do you still hate me?
The pencil smiled and replied:
– How could I hate you when you sacrifice so much?!
Every day, you wake up with one day less left in your life.
If you can’t be a pencil writing happiness for others, be a good eraser that erases their mistakes and sorrows, sowing hope and optimism in their souls, reminding them that the future is beautiful.
Always be grateful and selfless.
