Once upon a time, in a vibrant city filled with tall trees, colorful murals, and the constant hum of happy neighborhoods, lived a six-year-old boy named **Diego**.
**Diego** was like a little firecracker. He was fast, he was smart, and he had a smile that could light up a room. But **Diego** had a secret challenge: sometimes, his heart felt like a teapot that boiled over too quickly. When things didn't go his way, or when he felt rushed, a big cloud of anger would fill his head, making him forget his manners and his calm.
### The Morning Rush
The sun peeked through the curtains on a busy Tuesday. **Papai** was in the kitchen, making toast and packing lunchboxes.
"**Diego**, time to put on your shoes! We have to pick up **Luca** and **Joao** for school," **Papai** called out kindly.
**Diego** was busy trying to build a tall tower with his blocks. "Not now, **Papai**! I’m busy!" he shouted back. His voice was sharp, like a jagged rock.
**Papai** walked into the room and knelt down. "**Diego**, I know you’re playing, but when I speak to you, please use a respectful voice. We have a schedule, and we must think of our friends who are waiting."
**Diego** felt that familiar heat in his chest. He wanted to kick his tower over. He wanted to yell. But he saw the calm look in **Papai**’s eyes and took a small, shaky breath. He put his shoes on, though he did it with a tiny pout.
### The Schoolyard Lesson
At school, the playground was a swirl of movement. **Diego**’s best friends, **Luca** and **Joao**, were playing tag. During a break, their teacher, **Maria**, gathered the class.
"Class, today we are going to work in pairs to draw a map of our neighborhood," **Maria** said with a warm smile.
**Diego** ended up working with **Tom**, a quiet boy who liked to take his time. **Diego** wanted to draw the park immediately.
"No, **Tom**! Put the blue crayon down! The lake goes there!" **Diego** snapped, grabbing the crayon out of **Tom**’s hand.
**Tom** looked sad and pulled his hands back. **Maria** walked over and placed a gentle hand on **Diego**’s shoulder. "**Diego**, remember what we talked about? Respect means listening to your partner’s ideas, too. When you let anger take the wheel, you leave your friends behind. Take a deep breath."
**Diego** looked at **Tom**. He saw that his friend didn't want to play anymore. He felt a little pinch in his heart. "I'm sorry, **Tom**," **Diego** whispered. He counted to three in his head, just like **Papai** taught him. "Where do you think the lake should go?"
### The Big Game
The real test came on Saturday. It was the day of the neighborhood soccer match. **Diego**, **Luca**, **Joao**, and **Guelfo** were all on the same team. The sun was bright, and the grass smelled fresh.
**Papai** was on the sidelines, cheering. **Guelfo** was the goalie, and he was doing a great job. But near the end of the game, the other team scored a goal.
**Diego** felt the "Anger Cloud" returning. It felt like a heavy, hot weight in his tummy. He turned to **Guelfo** and started to shout, "Why didn't you catch it? You let them win!"
**Guelfo** looked like he was about to cry. **Luca** and **Joao** stopped running. The whole game seemed to freeze.
**Papai** called for a timeout. He didn't yell. He simply walked onto the field and led **Diego** to the bench.
"**Diego**," **Papai** said softly. "Look at your friends. Are they having fun right now?"
**Diego** looked down at his cleats. "No."
"When you let your anger out like that, it hurts the people you love," **Papai** explained. "Winning a game is nice, but keeping your friends and being a respectful teammate is much more important. Peace in your heart is better than a trophy on your shelf."
**Diego** sat quietly. He watched a butterfly land on a clover near his foot. He realized that when he was angry, he missed the butterfly. He missed the fun. He missed the love.
### The Swimming Pool Victory
The next day, the family went to the community pool. **Diego** was in a swimming race. He worked hard, splashing his arms and kicking his legs. When he touched the wall, he realized he came in third place.
In the past, **Diego** might have splashed the water in anger or complained to the lifeguard. But today, he stayed still. He felt the cool water on his skin. He looked at the boy who won and said, "Great job!"
**Papai**, **Maria** (who was visiting the pool with her own family), and his friends all cheered—not because he won the race, but because he stayed calm.
### The Warm Circle
That evening, the whole group gathered at **Diego**’s house for a neighborhood barbecue. **Luca**, **Joao**, **Tom**, and **Guelfo** were all running around the yard. **Maria** was chatting with the parents, and **Papai** was flipping burgers on the grill.
**Diego** walked over to **Papai** and gave him a big hug around his waist.
"Thank you for helping me learn to be calm, **Papai**," **Diego** said.
**Papai** patted **Diego**’s head. "I'm proud of you, son. You're learning that the strongest person isn't the one who shouts the loudest, but the one who can keep their heart quiet and kind."
As the sun set over the city, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange, **Diego** looked around at his diverse, noisy, wonderful community. He realized that when he chose respect over anger, the world felt much bigger and much friendlier.
He didn't need to be the fastest or the loudest. He just needed to be **Diego**—the boy who knew that love, peace, and the union of family were the greatest prizes of all.
And with a happy heart and a calm mind, **Diego** ran off to play with his friends, leaving the "Anger Cloud" far, far behind.