Fights and Forgiveness

A story of the young Don Bosco

John had an older brother called Joseph. Generally, they got on very

well and were to become life-long friends. But, as a young child,

John would occasionally take delight in winding Joseph up. When

Joseph, being older and stronger, reacted in frustration the young John

Bosco lost his temper completely and a full scale fight began.

On one such occasion his mother Margaret took control. She knew that it was John who had provoked the quieter Joseph to fight and so she called John into the kitchen on his own. In the corner of the room was a rod. His mother pointed to the rod and said to John, “bring it to me!”. John stood still and refused to move. “I said bring it to me.”

His mother repeated. His mother had never punished any of them physically before and

John was shocked that he was going to be beaten by someone he loved very much. Was he really so bad? he thought to himself.

Eventually he went and brought the rod to his mother. John asked his mother what she was going to do with it. She told him to bring it over and he would find out soon enough.

The young John held the rod out at arm’s length and his mother took

it from him. The young John began to cry. “I know you are going to beat me

now and hurt me for what I have done!” His Mother asked him why

she shouldn’t do just that - hadn’t he deserved punishment? John had

no answer to that question. He realised that he was in the wrong. It was then that John looked straight at his mother and said that he was sorry and made a promise to be kinder to his brother Joseph. The rod was returned to its place.

Key point

In punishing young people, it is vital that they know what they have

done is wrong, why it is serious and that they are given a chance to

put things right. There should always be the chance for a fresh start

for the young who should never be written off as they grow to

maturity by making mistakes. They should know that they are loved.

This story is taken from the book below with over fifty reflective assembly type stories. It is available from Don Bosco Publications here for £5.