Serapião was an old beggar who strolled across the streets of the city.

        Next to him, walked his loyal black and white pooch who attended by the name of Spoty.

        Serapião did not ask for money. He would happily accept a piece of bread, a banana, a slice of cake or something else he could eat.

        When his clothes were too ragged, he was helped by some caring soul. He changed appearance and people would tease him around.

        He was known as a good man who lost reason, family, friends and even his identity.

        He did not drink alcohol and was always very calm, even when he was hungry.

        He used to say that God would give him some at the right time, and when he actually needed it, someone would always bring him some food.

        Serapião would then thank the person and would pray to God for the one who helped him.

        Everything he got, he would give some to Spoty first, who patiently ate and waited for his next meal.

        They did not have a place to sleep; they would sleep wherever they were when it got dark. When it rained, they would find shelter under a bridge. There, the beggar would meditate, staring into the distance.

         He was a quite fascinating person, as his life was nearly vegetative, with no progress, no hope and no future.

        One day, offering some bananas as an excuse, a man got next to the beggar to talk to him.

        They started talking about Spoty and the man asked about the dog’s age, but Serapião did not know it.

        He said he had no idea, as they had met strolling around the city.

        “Our friendship started with a piece of bread”, said the beggar. “He looked hungry, so I offered him some of my lunch. He thanked me with a tail wave, and since then, he has never left me.

        He helps me a lot and I repay him as I can.”

        “How do you help each other?” Asked the man.

        “He watches me out while I sleep. Nobody can get close to me, otherwise he barks and attacks. When he sleeps, I watch out so no other dog will get close to bother him.”

        They kept talking, and the man made him another question: “Serapião, do you have any hidden desires ?”

        “Yes”, he answered, “I would love to have a hot-dog, like those ones they sell at the shop on the corner.”

        “Is that all?” asked the other one.

        “Yes, at the moment, that is all I desire”.

        “Well, I will satisfy your desire right now.”

         He went to the shop, got a hot dog and gave it to the beggar.

        Looking surprised, Serapião smiled, thanked the man and took the sausage out of the sandwich, gave it to the dog and ate the bread with sauce.

        The man did not understand, as he believed the sausage was the best part of it.

        “Why did you give exactly the sausage to Spoty?” he asked, intrigued.

        The beggar, with a mouthful, answered: “To the best friend, the best part.”

        And he kept eating, happy and satisfied.

        The man said goodbye to Serapião, patted the dog on the head and left, thinking to himself: “I have learned something today. How good it is to have friends. People we can trust. It is really good to be friends with somebody and to be recognized as such. I will never forget the wisdom of that beggar.”

        And you, what part have you saved for your friends?

Spiritist Moment Team, based on the text Para o melhor amigo,
o melhor pedaço!, written by Inocêncio Viégas, published on the
site: http://www.ciaencontro.com/viegas/.