The parable of good and bad deeds

– Nothing needs to be done about them, – Grandpa also unexpectedly replied, – we ourselves need to learn not to engage in bad deeds and not to blame others for pushing them onto us or making us do them. It all depends on us.

– Okay, Grandpa, we will learn! – Oscar said joyfully, – and we will only do the very, very best deeds!

– Oscar, you're always drawn to the superlatives. Whether it's the biggest castle or the best deeds, – Grandpa said with a smile and continued, – the point, my children, is not to seek some special, exceptional good deeds, the very best or the trendiest ones, as if they would overshadow our bad actions and patch up the holes in our house. The essence lies in the fact that any deed, action, or word that earns us good bricks is invaluable. So, Oscar, how will you determine the very, very best deed?

– Well, if we're talking about all the good deeds, I guess the one that pays the most? – Oscar asked.

– Not necessarily, – Grandpa replied, – that's exactly how the snakes will catch you, by slipping in their rotten brick. They love those who want the very, very best and want it quickly! Many problems in the house of our lives stem from our impatience and the desire to quickly showcase ourselves in a special way to others. It's not a bad thing, and it's part of who we are, but what matters is the actions we take on the fairground of life to achieve that. Our impatience often leads us back to the snakes. All good deeds are equally good, and we are paid more or less equally for them.

– Okay, we won't rush and we'll be careful in choosing our deeds and actions, Grandpa! Now, I definitely understand everything, – Oscar exclaimed happily, – I will definitely learn and be able to choose only those deeds that will allow me to build a strong and reliable house of life. And even if it takes a long time, I will patiently work towards that day with my good deeds! Thank you, my beloved Grandpa, and from now on, I will always listen to the elders and read books!" Oscar embraced his grandpa, closing his eyes with delight, envisioning the wonderful, big, and secure house of life he would have.

Oscar improves the fairy tale world.

Time passed. Oscar made an effort to do only good deeds because he now knew exactly how to choose them among the rest. In the evenings, he read books and increasingly listened to the advice of his elders. Furthermore, Oscar started keeping a journal of his deeds and actions. He carefully recorded everything he did on the fairground of life. And if ever the bricks in his house crumbled, he quickly found the reason in his journal and avoided doing those bad deeds again. Sometimes, he had to experience the consequences of his bad actions, but Oscar always tried to understand the reasons behind them. Most importantly, in such situations, he always applied the rule «Do not do unto others what you do not want done unto yourself». He consistently found solutions to problems and conflicts through good deeds, and everyone remained satisfied.

The energy of life, entrepreneurship, and restlessness of Oscar, combined with his desire and ability to do good deeds, unexpectedly benefited their town and the entire fairy tale world. Having completed the construction of his grand house of life, he didn't spend his time aimlessly indulging in amusements and entertainments like many others do. Our Oscar decided to rid the magical world of bad deeds! However, not with malice towards the snakes, as everyone used to do, but by following his grandfather's advice. After all, the snakes were not to blame for being born that way. Oscar didn't banish the snakes, instead, he resolved to teach all the town's inhabitants, all the souls, how to distinguish good deeds from bad ones, just as his grandfather had taught him. Mickey provided him with support and interest since he had read so many books and could easily discern between good and bad. Oscar took to the squares, delivering lectures and visiting homes with advice, while Mickey helped him write speeches and articles. Together, they actively spread pamphlets containing good deeds and actions, providing reasoning, and sharing instructive stories.

The diligence and efforts of the friends were not in vain. Oscar and Mickey witnessed how the town became better and more beautiful, and its inhabitants became happier and more content. Many souls didn't understand why their houses of life were damp and cold, but upon learning the truth, they started doing only good deeds. Those who didn't believe or refused to listen, after struggling with their own mistakes, abandoned the bad deeds themselves. And as the souls began to engage in good deeds at the fair of life, it became less profitable to trade in bad deeds with the snakes in their town, and the snakes slithered away, out of sight. And if there were no snakes, then there were no pamphlets of bad deeds at the fair of life. And without pamphlets, there was no temptation. The thought of doing bad deeds didn't even occur to them. And life kept getting better and better for our heroes, Mickey and Oscar, and all the other fairy souls in their beautiful and magical world!