What Did She See?
Was she crying for the loss of one young life?
No.
She was crying for the countless lives lost in this world.
The Eminent Monk suddenly smiled.
"May I have another sesame cake?"
"These sesame cakes are really delicious."
The Eminent Monk reached out and took a sesame cake.
"You should have some more, too."
Just as he had when they first met, the Eminent Monk told the girl many stories of his travels.
Some were happy, some sad.
There had been good luck, and misfortune.
Little joys, and little troubles.
The Eminent Monk spoke at an unhurried pace.
Like a gently flowing stream.
It seemed even the rain had grown gentler.
The Eminent Monk looked up.
The rain had stopped.
He folded up his umbrella.
The Eminent Monk reached out and wiped the water from the writing on the tombstone.
He looked around.
The Eminent Monk's eyes lit up slightly.
He slowly got to his feet.
His legs had gone a little numb from crouching so long.
If he stood too quickly, he might fall.
The Eminent Monk walked over to the side.
He bent down.
He picked up a peach-pink flower lying on the ground.
It must have been knocked down by the heavy rain just now.
The Eminent Monk gently wiped the muddy water from its petals.
He looked up.
It didn't take him long to find the flowering tree.
Peach-red blossoms covered its branches.
The rain had washed them clean, making their already vivid color even more brilliant.
The Eminent Monk smiled faintly.
Wouldn't the little girl be happy to see such a beautiful flowering tree?
The Eminent Monk turned and returned to Sixth Girl's tombstone.
He raised the flower in his