Smiling Woman

You have the power to change yourself as this story set in medieval China shows!

THERE was an old woman who was always in tears. One day a monk asked her why she was always so sad.

“It’s like this,” said the woman. “One of my daughters is married to an umbrella seller while the other is married to a noodle maker. If it’s sunny I feel sorry for the daughter who is married to the umbrella seller because I know her husband will not sell any umbrellas that day. If it’s cloudy and looks like it’s going to rain I feel sorry for my other daughter. Noodles have to be dried in the sun and if it’s raining I know her husband won’t have any noodles to sell the next day. In these parts it’s nearly always either cloudy or sunny. That is why I’m always so sad. You will agree with me that it’s not at all possible for me to be happy in the circumstances!”

“As a matter of fact you are one of the fortunate few who are ideally placed to be happy at all times,” said the monk. “The next time it’s raining do not think of your daughter who is married to the noodle maker. Think only of your daughter who is married to the umbrella seller. Imagine his joy. Imagine your daughter’s joy. Take delight in their happiness. If it’s sunny think only of the daughter who is married to the noodle maker. Imagine her husband’s joy at being able to make so many noodles. Imagine your daughter’s joy. Take delight in their happiness.”

The woman did as the monk advised, and from then on nobody ever saw her with a sad face. She was always smiling. She became known as the ‘Smiling Woman’.