Pág. 25_Chapter 3

23 Os 422 soldadinhos de chumbo do senhor general - I have a solution! The 421 tin soldiers were all excited to hear it. - What if we sent three of us in a military mission to nd out why the wars happen? - he said it quickly, wanting to end his sentence without stuttering. He breathed in relief when he did it. - Also… - added João Metido. - We need to nd another place to live, where we don’t have to play war in the hands of a General. - Exactly - Said João Espichado, he always needed to have the last word. – we want to know why there are wars and we need to nd a new place to live in peace forever. Everyone inside the box was silent. Even Caniço was quiet, the one who used ickered around with his loose rie. Everyone was thinking about it. The rst soldier that nished his thoughts was Lamparino, the one with the yellow fur cap. - João Metido is right - he said. - let’s send three of us with two missions: the srt one, nd out why the wars happen; the other, nd a new place whe- re wars don’t exist. - But who is going? - João Metido asked again with his typical curiosity. Everyone started talking at the same time again. And once more, no one could unders- tand anything. Each one had their own opi- nion. Lamparino tried to ask for silence a couple of times, all in vain. Until he decided to scream: - I think the best person to go on this mission is João Metido, it was his idea after all. And also, João Espichado, that warned us about our situation. Does everyone agree with that? - Perfectly! - scream the other 419 tin sol- diers, even the box shook. - We already have two… - said Lamparino. - Who is going to be the third one? - João Calado - said a chorus of 421 voices. Again, the box shook. - Exaclty! João Calado. - proceeded Lamparino. - the three companions must represent us. We have chosen unanimously!