Being kind to others can have a profound impact on both the giver and the receiver. But just how far should we go in being kind? Is it as simple as giving money or ignoring the faults of others? Or does it encompass an even higher realm? These are important questions that we should all consider.
When Masen Situ was born, his father was already 40 years old. His parents got this son after many years of marriage, and so they cherished and loved him dearly. When Masen was 4 years old, he had beautiful features and a lovely appearance. Everyone adored him, and his parents treasured him like a precious jade.
One day, the young nanny carried him outside, but accidentally dropped him from a high place. Masen fell from her arms and landed head-first on the ground. Unfortunately, he fell to his death on the spot. Masen’s father, Gong Situ, was nearby and happened to witness it. He immediately asked the nanny to run and hide. He carried the dead child into the house and said to his wife: “I had mistakenly caused our child to fall and die.”
Gong Situ’s kind action was rewarded
The wife was shocked and furious, and she rushed at her husband, hitting and knocking him down several times. Then she turned to find the nanny to whip her, but she couldn’t find her. The horrified nanny hid in her home and told her parents what had really happened. The nanny’s parents wept in grief and were very grateful for Gong Situ’s kind action. They sincerely begged Heaven to let Gong Situ have another son as soon as possible.
The following year, the Situ couple gave birth to another son. When the baby was born, there was a red birthmark on his forehead in the exact place where Masen Situ had been injured when he hit the ground. It turned out that this baby was the reincarnation of Masen Situ.
The predestined relationship between the first child and his parents was over, and so the accident may not have been accidental after all, and maybe this was the arrangement made by Heaven to end the parent-child relationship. Because of Mr. Situ’s benevolence and forgiveness, he got an unexpected benefit and beautiful compensation: The child returned to this family again in his next life, and they were reunited.
Even amidst his own great sadness over losing a child, Gong Situ was still able to still think of others and he was eventually rewarded for his kindness. This story highlights the importance of being kind, even in difficult circumstances. By going the extra mile and being selfless, we can be rewarded in unexpected ways. It’s not just about giving money or ignoring the faults of others, kindness encompasses an even higher realm — it’s about being compassionate, understanding, and selfless.
Translated by Wendy Huang
