Paper cranes

Yesterday when I went to the kindergarten, one of the teachers asked me if I would like to fold an origami crane and say a prayer for one of the little boys who is in the hospital and isn't doing very well. The prayers are understandable, but here is the reason behind the crane. This is a simple story that I related to some American children many years ago, thus the very simple English. It is a true story that is a little bit sad, but it is a good story.

There was once a little girl named Sadako who lived many years ago during the Second World War. An atomic bomb was dropped on Sadako’s city and many people were hurt and many people were killed. Sadoko was fine but one day she became sick and had to go the hospital. The doctors said she was sick because of the atomic bomb. Sadako decided that she would fold paper cranes while she was in the hospital and for every crane that she folded, she would pray that there would be peace in the world. Sadako also hoped that if she could make one thousand cranes maybe she would become well. Sadly, Sadako died before she finished making her one thousand cranes. Sadako’s friends and family decided that they would make paper cranes in her memory and continue to pray Sadako’s prayer.

Nowadays, in Japan, people often make paper cranes when someone is sick, or if they want something very badly. And although Sadako died, there is now a statue of her in the city of Hiroshima, and everyday school children from all over Japan send thousands and thousands of paper cranes to be hung around the statue. Japanese school children remember Sadako and her prayer for peace in the world.Lord, be with Tomoya-kun and his family today. Give him strength and comfort. Thank you for his life. Your will be done. Amen