A Long but Touching Story of "Andoy"

Somewhere in Milaor, Camarenes Sur, Philippines there live a fourth grader boy name Andoy who would follow this route to school everyday.

He has to cross the rugged plains and cross the dangerous highway where vehicles are recklessly driving to and from. Once pass this highway, the boy would take a short cut passing by the Church every morning to say Hi to Jesus, and faithfully say this , ''Magandang Umaga Po'' in Bicol dialect.

A priest, who was so happy to find innocence so uplifting in the morning, was faithfully watching the boy. ''Kamusta Andoy! Papasok ka na ?'' ''Opo padre''... He would flash his innocent grin, the priest would be touched.

The priest was so concerned that one day he talk to Andoy, ''From school....'', he advised '' do not cross the highway, you can pass through the Church and I can accompany you to the other side of the road... that way I can see that you are home safe.

''Thank you father.'' ''Why you don't go home? Why do you stay in this Church right after school ? '' '' I just want to say ''HI'' to my friend, Jesus,''

The priest would leave the boy to spend time beside the altar, talking by himself, but the priest hid behind the altar to listen what this boy has to say to his heavenly FATHER.

''You know my math exam was pretty bad today, but i did not cheat- although my seatmate is bullying me for notes... I ate one crackerand drank my water,Itay had a bad season and all I can eat is this cracker. Thank you for this! I saw a poor kitten that was hungry and I know how he feels, so i gave my last cracker to him... funny but I am not that hungry. Look, this is my last pair of slippers ... I may have to walk barefooted next week... you see this is about to be broken. But it's okayat least I am still going to school... some says we will have a hard season this year and some of my classmates have already stopp going to school. Please help them get back to school again, please Jesus? .... Oh, you know, Inay had hit me again, it's painful, but i know this pain will pass away, at least I still have a mother... Jesus, you want to see my bruises? I know you can heal theam ...here... here... and.... oh .... blood.... I guess you knew about this one huh? Please don't be mad at Inay. She is just tired and she worries for the food in our table and schooling that is why she hits us.... Oh, I think I am in love.... there's this pretty girl in my class, her name is angela.... do you think she will like me ? Anyway, atleast I know you will always like me, I don't have to be anybody just to please you, you are my very best friend! Hey, your birthday is four months from now! Aren't you excited ? I am! Wait till you see my gift for you.... But is a surprise! I hope you will like it! Oops, i have to go to.... ''then he stood up and calls out, ''Padre , padre, I am finished talking to my friend. You can accompany me to the other side of the road now''

Everyday this routine happens without fail for Andoy. Father Agaton shares this every Sunday to the people in this church because he has not seen a very pure faith and trust in Jesus, a very positive look and negative situations.

One Christmas dat, Father Agaton was sick so he could not make it to Church, he was sent to the hospital. The Church was left to 4 manangs who would chant the rosary in 1000 miles per hour would not smile and always find fault in what you do. They are also very well versed in cursing if you irritate them! They were kneeling, saying their kilometric rosary when Andoy, coming from his Christmas part, playfull dashed in, " Hello Jesus! I "P----! (a curse) bata ka! Alam mo ng may nagdadasal dito! Alis!" Poor Andoy was so terrified, "Where's Father Agaton? He is supposed to help me cross the street.... And to be able to across street I will have to pass by the church... not only that, I have to greet Jesus. Today His birthday and I have a gift right here..... Just as he was about to get the gift out of his shirt, one manang pulled his shirt and threw him out of the church. "Susmaryosep! ( does a sign of the cross fervently) Alis kang bata ka, kung hindi matatamaan ka !

So the boy had no choice but to cross the dangerous side of the road in front of the church. He crossed. There was a blind curve. A fast moving bus came in .... The boy was protecting his gift inside his shirt, so he was not looking . There was so little time. The bus hit Andoy ans he died on the spot. A lot of people crowded the lifeless body of the toung boy.

Then suddenly, out of nowhere a tall man wearing a white shirt and pants, a face so mild and gentle, but with eyes full of tears. He came and lifted the boy in his arms and he was crying....

The curious bystanders nudged the man in white, and asked, " Excuse me sir, are you related to this child ? Do you know this child? " The man, his face mourning and in agony answered, " He was my best friend." He took the badly wrapped gift in the bloody chest of Andoy and placed it near hist heart.

He stood up and carried the boy away and they both disappeared in sight. The crowd was bewildered.

The next day, Father Agaton learned of the shocking news.

He immediately visited Andoy's house and wanted to learn more about the man in white . He asked Andoy's parents. "Do you know the man who took Andoy?" " A man in white brought him here." sobbed the mother. "What did he say?" The father answered, "He did not say anything. He was mourning. We do not know him and yet he was very lonely at our son's death as if he knew our son very well. There was somethinf peaceful and unexplainable about him. He brought my son home and then he smiled gently. He rubbed Andoy's hair away from his face and kissed him on his forehead. Then he whispered something to Andoy."

"What did he sat?", asked the priest.

The father began, " He said to my son... "Thank you for the gift.... I will see tou soon.... you will be with me forever..." Andoy's father continued, "You know for a while, I felt so wonderful. I cried, but I don't know why. All I know is that I cried tears of joy. I could not explain it father. When the man left, somethinf peaceful came over me. I Felt a deep sense of love insed. I coud not explain the joy in my heart. I knew my boy is in heaven now..... but... tell me father, who is the man that my son talks to everyday in your church. You ahould know because you are always there.... eccept on the time of his death."

Father Agaton suddenly felt the tears welling in his eyes, with trembling knees, he murmured, " He was talking to no one, ..... but... JESUS."

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Thank you for the time you spend to read my articles for today.

I hope everyone of you touched .

And i hope you learned about what i published today.

Until tomorrow again , thank you very much!