- True Love is Blind

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window.

The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and colours of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Birds flew about in the skies and amongst tall wind-swept trees brightly blossoming. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color. A fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the bedridden man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man could not hear the band, he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentle commentator by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window. He had died peacefully in his sleep.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.

It faced a blank wall !

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate to describe such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, “Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.”

Epilogue:

There is great joy in making others happy, despite our own difficulties.

Shared grief is half the sorrow, but shared happiness is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can’t buy.

Live this day: it is the only one. Yesterday is gone; tomorrow never comes. Live this moment: you are everything.

“Today” is the best gift; that is why it is called the “present.”

Buddhism_28b True Love is Blind

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window.

The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and colours of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Birds flew about in the skies and amongst tall wind-swept trees brightly blossoming. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color. A fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the bedridden man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man could not hear the band, he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentle commentator by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window. He had died peacefully in his sleep.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.

It faced a blank wall !

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate to describe such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, “Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.”

Epilogue:

There is great joy in making others happy, despite our own difficulties.

Shared grief is half the sorrow, but shared happiness is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can’t buy.

Live this day: it is the only one. Yesterday is gone; tomorrow never comes. Live this moment: you are everything.

“Today” is the best gift; that is why it is called the “present.”

The Blind Passengers

Since I was travelling in the first class compartment, I did not have

to rush like  the other passengers. My  parents  always bought first class tickets for me. You see, I am blind.

As I waited patiently for the other passengers to board the train, I could hear a young woman bidding fond farewell to her parents, at least that was what I gathered. She then took a seat opposite

me. I toyed with the idea of whether I could carry a conversation without her finding out I was blind.

“Nice day, isn’t it?” I started.

“Yes, one can smell the spring blossoms even from a distance,” she

replied.

“What do they look like?” I asked.

Oh no!  I almost gave myself away. Immediately, I explained myself,  “Ï come from another part of  the country. Perhaps from where  you come from, they look different”

Both of us then carried on talking for some time. Then she said. “This is my station. I get down here. Nice talking to you.”

She left and a man took her seat opposite me. Out of curiosity, I asked the man, “Was she pretty?  I mean the lady who got down just now.”

“Yes,  she has an attractive face.  But what a pity, those big black eyes. . . ”

“What about her eyes?” I asked.

“Didn’t you notice? That lady is blind.”       

~ The End ~