In a twinkling town under the golden sun, lived a wise old man named Buddha and a loving mom named Kisa Gotami. They were friends—a bond that could not be undone.
One day, Kisa was sad, oh so glum. Her dear little boy was as silent as a drum. She asked Buddha with tears in her eyes, 'How can I get rid of these heart-heavy sighs?'
Buddha replied with a twinkly grin, 'Kisa, my dear, the world's not so grim. Find me a mustard seed from a house without sorrow, and your heart will heal by tomorrow.'
Kisa knocked on doors, one after another, and asked of families and fathers and mothers, 'Have you known sadness? Have you known woe?' The answers she got were always a 'Yes, oh so!'
One house had lost a pet bunny named Boo, another sad tale involving a shoe. Each family shared a tearful story, a bit of grief in their history.
Though her search was tough, Kisa didn’t stop. She knocked on more doors, from bottom to top! No mustard seed could she find, but her heart grew soft and kind.
She sighed and thought at the end of the day, 'No mustard seed found, but sadness won’t stay. I’ve learned each family’s tale, none are without sorrow, I’ll see my grief different when it dawns the morrow.'
Kisa returned to Buddha, her eyes a bit brighter. 'I’ve found no seed, but my heart is lighter. I see now that sorrow is a thread we all share, but love and kindness can make it easier to bear.'
Buddha beamed and nodded his head, 'You’ve found the key in what each house has said. Sorrow is shared, grief is never alone, but kindness and love can be home’s sweet tone.'
Kisa and Buddha then danced in the square, with friends all around, hearts light as the air. They laughed and they sang through the starry night, finding joy in shared stories and love that was bright.
From that day on, Kisa shared her tale—the mustard seed quest that didn't fail. She spoke of love, loss, and things that unite, showing the town how to see with new sight.
And so the town, under the golden sun, learned that life’s battles are best shared as one. With love in their hearts and wisdom to heed, they lived happily ever, and planted great seeds.
Reflection Questions