— I understand you, — Oscar laughed, — I don't pay attention to them anymore! Well, let's find new acquaintances! Oscar said. But after our conversation and the new knowledge you shared with us, Grandpa, and the rule «do unto others as you would have them do unto you», I will think carefully whether it's worth bringing rotten bricks into my home and spoiling relationships with friends and guests.
— Yes, Oscar, think about it, — Grandpa replied and continued wisely, — many are invited, but few are chosen as true friends.
— And for what bad deed, Grandpa, did you receive rotten bricks? — Mickey asked.
— I pondered for a long time back then, — Grandpa thoughtfully replied, — I reviewed past deeds and actions and found a couple of questionable ones that those cursed snakes slipped in — «firing workers for their mistakes» and «cutting corners on expensive tools for work».
— What's wrong with that? — Oscar asked, — If they make mistakes and don't know how, let them go! We'll find new ones! And spending on expensive tools is just wasteful!
— And that's the whole story, — Grandpa said, — experience is needed in all matters to distinguish the good from the bad in each specific case, — Grandpa explained, — that's why we hire new workers, train them, and spend money if we have our own, almost like family, trained workers. We just need to pay them more attention and, after thoroughly understanding the problem, teach them better. And our rule, «Do unto others as you would have them do unto you», will also help us. Oscar, if something didn't work for you, would you want someone to teach you or dismiss you as incompetent?
— Of course, I would want to be educated! And I would want my deeds to be celebrated! — Oscar cheerfully replied.
— And I'm helping you, Oscar, — Grandpa continued, — I'm teaching you to build your reliable home of life instead of dismissing the problem with «figure it out yourself»! But the most important thing is that you also want to learn and grow. Then the learning process will be faster and easier.
— Thank you, Grandpa, for not abandoning me and rescuing me from the clutches of the snakes! — Oscar warmly embraced Grandpa and replied.
Our magical souls continued their tour of the house and entered a small green room with a tiny fireplace. This little room was filled from floor to ceiling with bookshelves, and the count of books was countless, just like in a library. Grandpa took out a jar of delicious raspberry jam from the cupboard and poured everyone a wonderful cup of tea. Enjoying the tasty treats and sipping tea, Grandpa continued telling about his house:
— Now, this small green room is more interesting. It's an important room for me, and I often spend time here with guests, reading books, — Grandpa began, — to build it, I took on the task at the fair of life, «helping with the construction of homes for the less fortunate and underprivileged».
— Do such people exist? Who are they? — Mickey asked.
— In our magical world, anything can happen. Perhaps these are souls that couldn't find themselves and their purpose at the fair of life. And some may be the result of constant devastation from rain and hurricanes, and the lack of understanding about why things turned out that way and what to do. Or maybe it's due to old age, when there is no longer the strength to fly to the fair and engage in deeds, and wisdom wasn't enough to gather the good eternal bricks for their life's home… This house will warm and restore them. It has helped many souls find the strength and knowledge to rebuild their sturdy and everlasting home of life.
— Oh, those snakes! They can drive any soul into poverty and ruin! It's good that there are people like you, Grandpa, who help in times of trouble and problems, — Oscar said, finishing his grandfather's tea and reclining on the soft, cozy couch in this small but kind green room.
Why do they pay so little for good deeds?
Mickey examined the bookshelves with curiosity, trying to find something familiar but couldn't, which intrigued him even more. Meanwhile, Oscar continued to lie on the couch, seemingly comparing something thoughtfully and dissatisfied. It seemed he wanted to ask something important from his grandfather.
— Grandpa, why is the room so small? It seems like it was a good deed — helping many souls! Or was it a quick and simple task? Did they build a small house for the less fortunate? — Oscar suspiciously asked.
— My dear children, we built a magnificent, strong, and spacious house. Many souls from our magical world have visited there, and some still live there with joy and pleasure to this day. I flew to the fair for many years, took on tasks, and helped build it. It was an important and beneficial endeavor for our magical world, — Grandpa answered.
Mickey understood where Oscar was heading and what his question was, which often troubled him as well. Taking an interesting book from the shelf and sitting next to Oscar, he awaited his question to Grandpa, sipping on the sweet tea.
— Grandpa, but it seems like there's a discrepancy! — Oscar suspiciously began, — the house for the less fortunate is big, yet the small green room, built from the bricks of this important and necessary task, is small! Something doesn't add up here! Why do we get paid so little for good deeds and actions at the fair of life? For example, «helping mom clean the floors» costs 2 bricks, but «making up an excuse and not helping mom» costs 20 bricks! Why do we receive fewer bricks for good deeds compared to bad ones? Good things can't be so cheap! — Oscar exclaimed, surprised and disappointed.
— Oh, you are such meticulous and curious detectives! Nothing can be hidden from you! — Grandpa replied with a smile, finishing his cup of tea.
— Of course, we have the right to know! — Oscar proudly responded and laughed.
Even the all-knowing Mickey looked at Grandpa questioningly. Tension filled the air. Everyone awaited an answer. But our grandpa just cleared his throat, stating that the tea had run out, and flew to the kitchen for a fresh batch.
— That's always the way, just when things get interesting, the tea runs out! — Oscar laughed and took advantage of the pause to examine the books on the shelves, choosing one for himself to read.
Having brewed the tea and grabbed a jar of apricot jam, Grandpa returned and settled in his favorite armchair by the fireplace, between the large bookshelves. He poured fresh tea into the children's cups. Meanwhile, Oscar tossed a couple of logs into the beautiful fireplace, stoking the fire vigorously. Squinting from the sparks and smoke, he prepared himself to listen to Grandpa.
— Well, my dear children, — Grandpa began, — your question is very relevant and important, and the answer to it is quite simple despite its mysterious nature. Let me ask you, do you like my house, or rather, my two houses, and the big garden and the lake?
— Of course, we like them! We want something like that too! — Oscar replied, squinting again as he threw another log into the fire.
— So, you see, I am content, and my friends are content too. I have everything I need, and even more. Look, the shed is filled with good bricks, and the cellar is stocked with jars of jam for a whole year ahead. My house and garden have served me for many, many centuries, and I can't even remember how many centuries have passed. And nobody gifted me this or helped me, I did it all myself, using the bricks I earned at the fair of life for my deeds.
— Well, it's all true, Grandpa, but still, why do they pay so little for good deeds? — Oscar persistently asked, not understanding where Grandpa was leading.
— Tell me, Oscar, have you ever seen any holes in my house after the rain or storms? That's right, you haven't seen a single one. So, it turns out that my houses are built with good bricks that I earned through good deeds and actions, right? — Grandpa asked inquisitively.