Chapter 20 – The First Challenge
One morning, the woman called Salimo over with a serious expression. One of the chickens seemed weak, barely eating or moving. He, who until then had only observed, was given the responsibility of caring for her. His heart pounded—what if he failed?
The woman showed him the steps: changing the water, separating the cleanest corn, making sure the nest was dry. She explained that animals, like people, also needed attention, patience, and affection.
At first, Salimo felt insecure. The hen's half-closed eyes seemed to beg for more than he knew how to give. Still, he didn't give up. He returned to the yard several times to check on her, preen her feathers, and even spoke softly, as if comforting a friend.
After a few days, the animal stood up stronger. The shine returned to its eyes, and its cackling echoed through the yard. For the woman, it was a sign that her care had paid off. For Salimo, it was much more: it was proof that it had the capacity to care for a life.
That night, lying on the simple mattress, he felt a different pride. It was as if he had discovered a hidden part of himself: the ability to protect and grow.
You Can: Taking care of the small things prepares you to build the big things.
