Começo da Vida

But the people in the middle? They have enough. They are healthy. They sleep well at night. Even kings wish they had been born in the middle class. The ancient wise men also said this. They wanted only enough. That's what you have, my son.

I was moved by what he said. What son wouldn't be? I decided to stay at home. I would forget the sea. I would make my father happy. But my decision didn't last. After some days I wanted to leave again.

I waited some weeks. Then I spoke with my mother. I thought that she would be easier to convince than my father. "Mother," I said, "I'm eighteen years old now. I can't stop thinking about traveling. If I stay here I will be unhappy forever."

"Please speak with Father," I continued. "Ask him to let me make just one trip. If I don't like it I'll come back home. I promise. I'll work twice as hard to make up for the lost time." But my mother became very angry.