Long ago, there was a little squirrel that had a beautiful fluffy tail. Its actions were so charming while it jumps up and down on the tree with its tail.


On the other hand, there was a little rabbit that had a pair white long ears and a pair of red ruby eyes. Its appearance is nothing more but adorable!


They were best friends who played together very often. One day, the rabbit told the squirrel “Hey squirrel, you have a beautiful tail. I wish I could have a tail like yours!” Then, the squirrel replied “Actually, I love your ears! I’d like to have a pair of those ears, too!”


“Well, let’s exchange them then!” suggested by the rabbit. “I’ll give you my ears, and you’ll give me your tail in return!” the rabbit added.

“Oh, great!” answered the squirrel as it claps its hands happily.


They were both thinking and thinking for quite a long time, trying to figure out a way to exchange their ears and tail. In the end, they’ve decided to look for Doctor Owl, who appears to be the most famous doctor in the woods. He must have a solution to this.


When the two little adorable creatures went to the doctor and told them their wish, the doctor rolled its eyes larger, shook its head and said “No, no, no… How could you exchange your ears and tail?” Nevertheless, both the little creatures did not give up. They annoyed the doctor until it had no choice but to agree to realize their wish. “Well, since you truly wanted to exchange your ears and tail, I’d try my best then. This is just the right timing. I’ve recently invented a potion that helps to recover wounds immediately! Perhaps this could be useful for you.” Both the squirrel and rabbit was pleased to hear this.


After applying the pain killer, the doctor quickly exchanged their ears and tails. With the help of the newly invented potion, the ears and tails healed in just a few moments as if nothing had happened.


As they gained consciousness, they were so surprised to found their wish to have come true! So they thanked the doctor for the gift and went home joyfully.


When the squirrel was back to its home, it was jumping up and down with the joyful spirit. It was playing around with its ‘new ears’ as if they were its toys. At this very moment, little puppy was about to pass by the squirrel’s house. Intended to show off his ‘new toy’, the squirrel leaped downwards to the ground. Unexpectedly, the ‘new ears’ have given the squirrel a heavier weight. Without its fluffy tail to counter with the gravitational force, it crashed to the ground and hurt itself. “Ouch! It hurts!” The squirrel was then quickly rushed to the hospital by the puppy.


Meanwhile, what could have happened to the rabbit then? On its way home, the rabbit was jogging and humming its favourite tune. Out of a sudden, a big grey wolf jumped out of nowhere and began chasing the rabbit. Being terrified, the rabbit quickly run as fast as it could for its life! “Help! Help! Someone please help me!”


Coincidentally, a buffalo was having a drink by the river bank. As it heard the rabbit yelling for help, it quickly ran towards the wolf. The wolf got hurt as the buffalo crashed it down with its horn. Then, it backed off.


“Thank you Mister Buffalo! Thank you!” said the rabbit.


After the rabbit was told about the squirrel, it decided to pay a visit to the hospital. When both of them were informed about what had happened to each other, Doctor Owl began to say “Look at the two of you, silly little creatures. Both of you have your own ears and tails, and they were given to you for a reason. Those pair of long ears allows you to hear from far, so that you won’t get caught by a wolf like today. Whereas that fluffy tail, it is a counter-weight for balancing.”


After making things clear, they both agreed to return each other’s ears and tails.




Words for the children:


Would you be envious or jealous of what your friends are having? I bet you’ve been like the squirrel or the rabbit, wishing that you could have what others have. “I wish I could be smart like her!” “You’re always the teacher’s great help, I’m so jealous.” Every now and then, we’re admiring how others could be so successful. Nevertheless, everyone has a unique mission. That’s why we’re all here, for our mission.


There are lots of mountains around the world, some are mighty, and some are tiny; there are many rivers, some being short, and some being tremendously long. However they may appear, they’re still mountains and rivers. There are mountains as peaceful as the ones in the capital of Nara; there are mountains as strong as the volcano of Aso in Kyushu; and there are mountains as great and mighty as the Himalayas. Each and every one of them have its own characteristics.


If mountains and rivers have different characteristic, we won’t be an exception then. Everyone of us would have something that we’re good at, our good qualities. However, we tend to not realize what we’ve got. The squirrel was admiring the rabbit’s ears, whereas the rabbit was admiring the squirrel’s tail. Both of them were rather paying attention to each other’s good quality than their own. Everyone’s good quality may vary, and there’s nothing and no one who can replace it. Thus, we shouldn’t have been over-jealous of the other people. Never compare yourself to the others, and be true to yourself. Only then, we’ll get to protrude our value. Just as what the Buddhism teaches us, to produce the true self, be the original you, and to shine with that power. This is why everyone is unique.


The Daishonin states: “Cherry, plum, peach and damson blossoms all have their own qualities, and they manifest the three properties of the life of the Buddha without changing their character.” It describes that the ultimate purpose of belief is to play our role according to our character and quality, gaining the highest happiness for ourselves and the others. When the cherry blossoms bloom, it depicts the beauty of Spring; the plum flower on the other hand, tells story of great challenges through the blizzard; peach could be elegant; while blossom could be clean and pure.


Therefore, we should not compare ourselves to other people, but to find out our good qualities. What makes us great, is the effort we make for the sake of others when we exert our good qualities!


I believe some of you would have the ‘rabbit’s ears’ or the ‘squirrel’s tail’! You’ll find out what you’re good at when you began to explore yourself!

Labels: n. Story palace