Sorrow and Happiness

Sorrow and Happiness
(Based on a story by Ven. Master Hsing Yun)

There was an old lady
Who cried everyday
Whether it was rainy
Or whether it was shiny!

She had two daughters
One married to an umbrella maker
Another to a noodle maker
Everyday she was worried about her daughters

When it was bright and shiny
She was worried about her older daughter
Not being able to sell umbrellas
Which made her sad and cry

When it was gloomy and rainy
She was worried about her little daughter
Not being able to dry noodles and sell
Which made her sad and cry

The old lady was sad everyday
She cried when it was bright and shiny
She cried when it was gloomy and rainy
Everyone called her a "Crying Lady"

One day she met a Buddhist monk
Who asked the cause of her grief
On being told about her grief
He gave her a way to make her happy

On hearing the lady was excited
The monk told her to change her perspective
And be happy when it was rainy
And be happy when it was shiny

The monk told her to think of the older one
When it was gloomy and rainy
And think of younger one
When it was bright and shiny

When it is rainy think of the elder one!
For she sells more umbrellas
And becomes wealthy and prosperous
So be happy for her when it's rainy

When it is bright and shiny
The younger one makes and sells more noodles
And becomes wealthy and prosperous
So be happy for her when it's shiny

The old lady saw the light
Soon she stopped crying
She was happy and smiling
Her face was shining bright

The old lady was happy everyday
She smiled when it was bright and shiny
She smiled when it was gloomy and rainy
Everyone called her a "Smiling Lady"

We have worries, problems and need
Changing our view is all we need
To transform our worries
And problems into happiness and fortunes