Once upon a time, there was a mother and a daughter. They were very poor, but they were very
natural. Unfortunately, the daughter had a bad illness. In order to earn enough money, the mother had to work day and night.
However, it was not enough at all. The doctor said to her: "It is impossible to cure your daughter's illness. So I suggest…"
"No," the mother
interrupted him immediately, and shouted at him: "There is no possibility to make me give up my daughter. You can't help me and I also needn't your help. I'm sure my daughter will be better soon." Then she left.
A few days later, the daughter asked her mother: "Mom, I can't get well, and I have just a few days left."
"No, I have found the way to make you get well, just put some of your medicine on the road, then others will set foot on it every day and your illness will be taken by them."
"Don't do this, mom," the little girl cried: "I don't wish others had it."
Mother said quietly: "Oh, I see…"
During the following days, the little girl
recovered gradually. She could run and jump. She was so happy that she always called mom. Suddenly, she found mom wasn't at home. So she went along the road where she picked up medicines every day. To her surprise, she found the road was covered with her medicine. She couldn't find her mother any longer…
Comments (From American voters):
"I liked its concrete images, and it is powerful and touching."
"Wonderful sacrifice, told indirectly, with tenderness."
"Simply, I was deeply moved by it. It surprised and shocked and filled me with awe."
"This was a great story about a mother's love. It was moving and had a great depth to it. Thank you for sharing."
"The story is beautifully written and the image of the mother's sacrifice is so powerful. I'm moved to tears reading this story. Job well done!"
"I can't pick out any specific reason why I liked this one the most. There was just something about it that stood out from the rest."
"The mother's love gives me chills while I read it. It's a wonderful story."
