Looking For the Magical Mustard Seed

--by warmth, posted Jan 22, 2008

There is an old Chinese tale about a woman whose only son died.

In her grief, she went to the holy man and said, "What prayers, what magical incantations do you have to bring my son back to life?"

Instead of sending her away or reasoning with her, he said to her, "Fetch me a mustard seed from a home that has never known sorrow. We will use it to drive the sorrow out of your life." The woman went off at once in search of that magical mustard seed.

She came first to a splendid mansion, knocked at the door, and said, "I am looking for a home that has never known sorrow. Is this a place? It is very important to me."

They told her, "You've certainly come to the wrong place," and began to describe all the tragic things that recently had befallen them.

The woman said to herself, "Who is better able to help these poor, unfortunate people that I, who have had misfortune of my own?"

She stayed to comfort them, and then went on in search of a home that had never known sorrow. But wherever she turned, in hovels and in other places, she found one tale after another of sadness and misfortune.

She became so involved in ministering to other people's grief that ultimately she forgot about her quest for the magical mustard seed, never realizing that it had, in fact, driven the sorrow out of her life.

4344 Reads

Posted by warmth
Jan 22, 2008
Comments (9)

Readers Comments

AURELIA wrote: Warmth, thank you for sharing this inspiring story. We all can dwell on our own needs and think at times we are all alone. You've just reminded to try to look beyond our own saddness to turn our time to helping and ministering to others and making good use of our time here on earth. Smile, it's contagious. :) ~Aurelia

bobbi wrote: Interesting story. I know that this is also practiced in our group. When a person feels down or depressed or all of the above, it is suggested that we do something for someone who is in need. Thank you for sharing.

jojomcb wrote: Helping others helps to forget that you have problems of your own and sometimes helps to put them in perspective as not being as awful as you thought.
although this womens loss was immense she found her comfort in helping others. I believe with all my heart that caring for one another and putting others feelings ahead of your own helps you heal from the inside out.

JuneBug wrote: This was such a nice story..and so true about taking our eyes off of ourselves in order to feel better..It works! I know!

brighteyes wrote: I have always been told and truly believe that when we are sad, burdened, depressed, etc....and we focus on others, on good acts, on kindness, are heart and emotions will be healed.

perseverance wrote: A similar story is there on Buddha and it is great to hear again

Keyanna wrote: That's an inventive answer to an itnretesing question

Sd wrote: Stories of kindness have a long reaching impact: although 'warmth' posted this message in 2008 and it is now 2020, the twelve years have not diminished the heartfelt truth of one kind act snowballing into other kindness. I don't know if the writer believes in god [but i pray that god is a constant friend, companion] god's word tells us that those who mourn will be comforted - how wonderful that the mother was led by the holy spirit to help others in their troubles and thereby received the comfort she needed for release her from her sorrow. Thank you for sharing the story - another may read the same message in another 12 years and all can share in the blessing by helping others before worrying about self.

Joseph Sparacio wrote: A beautiful story of healing. Does anyone know if this folk tale can be found in a book collection of stories? Thank you.

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