The Mustard Seed Once upon a time,
In a small village surrounded by green hills,
There lived a kind young woman named Kisa.
Kisa was very happy because she had a baby boy who filled her heart with joy.
One day,
Something very sad happened.
Kisa's baby got very sick and passed away.
Kisa loved her son so much that she couldn't accept he was gone.
She carried him in her arms,
Walking from house to house in the village,
Asking everyone for help.
Please,
Can someone bring my baby back to life?
She begged.
The villagers felt sorry for Kisa,
But they didn't know how to help.
Finally,
One wise old man said,
Go to the Buddha.
He is a great teacher and might know what to do.
Kisa hurried to find the Buddha.
When she reached him,
She fell at his feet,
Crying.
Please,
My baby is gone.
Can you bring him back to me?
The Buddha looked at Kisa with kind and gentle eyes.
I can help you,
He said.
But first,
You must bring me one mustard seed.
Kisa was confused.
That is it?
A mustard seed?
Yes,
The Buddha said.
But the mustard seed must come from a house where no one has ever experienced loss or sadness.
Go and search and bring it back to me.
Kisa quickly left,
Feeling hopeful.
She knocked on the first door she saw.
A woman answered and Kisa asked,
Do you have a mustard seed?
I need one from a house where no one has ever been sad or lost someone they loved.
The woman's face softened.
I do have mustard seeds,
She said.
But our family has known sadness.
My father passed away last year.
Kisa thanked her and moved on to the next house.
She knocked and a man opened the door.
Do you have a mustard seed from a house with no sadness or loss?
She asked.
The man shook his head.
I am sorry,
Young lady.
My brother died long ago,
And our family still misses him.
Kisa went from house to house,
Knocking on every door.
But no matter where she went,
Everyone she met had faced sadness or loss.
Some had lost parents,
Other had lost children,
Friends or loved ones.
As Kisa listened to their stories,
Something began to change in her heart.
She realized she wasn't the only one who felt pain.
Everyone in the village had experienced loss in one way or another.
By the time Kisa returned to the Buddha,
She was no longer carrying her baby.
Her tears had dried,
And her heart felt lighter.
She bowed to the Buddha and said,
I understand now.
Loss is something we all share.
I'm not alone in my sadness.
The Buddha smiled gently.
Yes,
Kisa,
Death is part of life,
And it connects us all.
When we understand this,
We can find peace and compassion for one another.
From that day on,
Kisa became a kind and wise woman who helped others in their times of sadness,
Sharing the lesson she had learned.
