In our busy lives, we often overlook the quiet, persistent love and sacrifices our mothers make for us. The following stories illustrate how they show their love in various ways, often without expecting anything in return. These narratives remind us to appreciate the profound, often unspoken, devotion of our mothers.
Story 1: A bowl of dumplings
That day, she had another fight with her mom. In a fit of anger, she ran out of the house. After walking for a long time, she saw a noodle stand and felt hungry. However, she realized she had no money. The owner, a kindly old woman, saw her standing there and asked: “Child, did you want something to eat?”
Embarrassed, she replied: “Yes, but I forgot to bring money.”
“That’s all right,” the old woman said with a warm smile, “I’ll treat you.”
The old woman brought her a bowl of dumplings and vegetables. As she ate, tears fell from her eyes. Concerned, the old woman asked: “What’s wrong, dear?”
“I’m fine, I’m just grateful!” she said, wiping her tears. “We don’t know each other, but you are so kind to me, willing to cook dumplings for me. But my mom, when I quarreled with her kicked me out of the house and told me not to come back!”
The old woman listened and then gently said: “Think about it; I only cooked a bowl of dumplings for you, and you are so grateful. How can you not be grateful to your mother who has cooked for you for over ten years? Why would you still fight with her?”
The girl froze. She hurriedly finished the dumplings and started walking home. When she arrived near her home, she immediately saw her exhausted mother looking around at the intersection. When her mother saw her, her face immediately showed joy: “Hurry up and come home, the meal has been ready for a long time. If you don’t eat, the food is going to get cold!”
The girl’s tears began to fall again. Sometimes, we are so grateful for the small favors we receive from others, but we turn a blind eye to the lifelong kindness of our loved ones.
Story 2: The lies a mother tells
The boy’s family was poor. Often, there wasn’t enough food, and the mother would share her portion, claiming she wasn’t hungry — her first lie.
She spent Sundays catching fish to provide calcium for her children, eating only the bones herself, insisting she didn’t like fish — her second lie.
To pay for school fees, she took on extra work at night, telling her son she wasn’t sleepy — her third lie.
During his exams, she stood in the blazing sun to support him, claiming she wasn’t thirsty — her fourth lie.
After his father’s death, she refused to remarry, saying she didn’t want to — her fifth lie.
Even as her children started working and sending money, she returned it, asserting she had enough — her sixth lie.
When her son wanted to bring her to the U.S. for a better life, she refused, saying she wasn’t used to it — her seventh lie.
On her deathbed, suffering immensely, she told him not to worry, that she wasn’t in pain — her last lie.
Conclusion
These stories highlight the profound, selfless love that mothers give us. They remind us to be grateful and to acknowledge the silent sacrifices made by our mothers every day. A mother’s love is a unique and unparalleled emotion, often expressed through actions rather than words, making it all the more precious and beautiful.
Translated by Audrey Wang
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