Charpter 7 - inglês

TThhee 07 ggrreaatt iiddeeaa The curious João Metido, the long João Espichado and the Os 422 soldadinhos de chumbo do senhor general forgetful João Calado thought about what they had to do next. - We can’t stay with the old Lady with the birds… concluded João Espi- chado. - they get sad when they see us. - We can’t stay with the busi- ness man either. - said João Metido. The same thing that happens with the General happens to him too, his eyes shine for the war. - With the children - Said João Calado. - it is not fun either. - Besides, it is too stressful. - complained João Espichado thinking about his broken sword. - I know - declared João Metido. - We need to look for a place where they can’t touch us. - Let’s go to a museum! - suggested João Calado. - Bravo. - said João Espichado. - splendid. And just like that, the three companions went to meet their 419 friends.

O Início de uma Mudança58 First they left the backpack and silently crawled outside of the classroom, while the teacher was talking about the battle of the Malvines and the wars that happened in his- torical times. They left through the school main entrance, feeling disappointed because the chil- dren there learned about the violence and the story that is told by the ones who win, colonize and dominate. João Calado was sad and thoughtful, the children were learning about useless things. The violence and the war do start inside each person and later become something common. Hiding at the sidewalk they waited until it was dark. It was better to march at night; the dangers of being seen by someone were a lot less. Through the dark, they got to the bakery right around the corner. There they spent the day inside a box resting. Once it got dark again, they continued their path and were able to get to a dog house. They only had three more days, and still a long way to go. On the sixth day, they finally arrived at the general’s home. But they also saw the pair of boots, in front of the door. - That means… - Said João Calado. - That the boots will be poli- shed soon. We need to hurry if we want to leave with our com- panions before the General puts them on. So they started to run as fast as they could, breathless and tripping. They went through the rat hole in the wall, went up the staircase, walked by the long hallway with the soft carpet, crossed the huge living room and… reached the box. João Espichado was the first one to crawl back inside. He was followed by João Metido and then João Calado. The lid clicked and the box had all the 422 tin soldiers inside again. They were all very happy because the three were back. They all asked at once if they had found a new place. The three proudly announced that the trip was a great adventure and a success. At the end of the story, Lamparino called everyone for another adventure.

59Os 422 soldadinhos de chumbo do senhor general And then, at that same night, the 422 tin soldiers marched lined up to the museum. It was a long path but they marched tirelessly. Now we can admire them at the museum. They were fixed up. João Espichado’s sword and João Metidos hat were fixed. And there they are. They are cleaned up every week and they wait for soldiers from all around the world to come to the museum, a quiet place to live, where the war is only remembered as something that once existed and doesn’t have to happen anymore. The museum is the only place where they will live in peace, away from the generals and businessman… O SEGREDO DA PAZ INTERIOR − ESCOLA: APRENDIZAGEM PARA A PAZ? Já vem de muitos séculos que grandes pensadores da humanidade têm tentado respon- der às seguintes perguntas: qual é o ingrediente básico para uma vida boa e feliz? O que significa uma vida de paz? Qual é nosso propósito de sobrevivência como humanidade, diante de um mundo consumista, individualista? Os antigos gregos sustentavam que o conhecimento era a chave da verdadeira felicida- de, pois o uso do intelecto induziria o homem a levar uma vida tranquila, feliz e em paz. Os estoicos discordavam dessa teoria. Para eles, não era o conhecimento, mas sim a força de vontade, a principal virtude da existência. Aquele que souber dominar sua vontade, controlar seus apetites e desejos será merecedor de estímulo e louvor, será feliz e viverá em paz. Havia, ainda, os epicuristas defendendo que somente com a serenidade as pessoas te- riam contentamento e paz. Diziam: “Removam o medo, evitem a ansiedade e a dor e, então, desfrutarão os benefícios da vida, viverão em paz.” Os soldadinhos, em nossa história, estavam decepcionados com o que as crianças apren- dem na escola sobre as guerras. Resolvem retornar para casa, no caminho questionam o que as crianças aprendem sobre as guerras e a forma como lhes é passado o conhecimento. Questionam-se sobre a história que é ensinada nas escolas e se ela é contada realmente como aconteceu ou é narrada por quem venceu pela força, manipulando os dados e o nosso conhecimento.