is/was (John cried when he told my parents that Beni is/was sick.)

[Solo]

Hi,
Please help me with this:
1. Situation: Beni is sick
A: "John cried when he told my parents that Beni (is/was) sick."
2. I couldn't find anything in his post that (was/had been) intended to be rude

Thanks a lot.

[Mister Micawber]

1-- Either will work. Natives usually say 'was'
2-- was
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's