Chapter 4 Jokichi Yudasei Aishi: A talk about morals with my daughter
My daughter came to me, today her expression was even more serious and grave than usually. Ayano, please smile or do something. Seeing you this empty is painful.
"Father, there is something I need to ask you about it"
"What is it, Ayano?"
"Please don´t tell mother that I told you about it, but she taught me how to clean up blood. I don´t want her to get angry."
SHE WHAT! Oh no, I really should have known. She technically followed the terms of the truce but still went behind my back, I am not surprised. I really hope this is all of it…
Ayano brought me back from my thoughts.
"Father? There must be something behind this all. Do you know what it means to clean up blood?"
Oh my daughter, you may be empty but still have spirit left inside you. You may be confused but you are still trying. I hope it will be enough…
"Ayano… I know it will not make much sense to you… But never forget compassion….
Cleaning up blood should only be necessary if you accidentally hurt yourself.
Kindness and mercy are virtues, Ayano. They are what separate us from animals. Be kind to everyone, even if it doesn't seem like they deserve it. Help people if you can, if they are in need of it. Kindness will be rewarded later on. People have reasons for their behaviours, even if these aren´t obvious at the moment. If it is possible, try to see their perspective, how they think and feel. You still need to be cautious that bad people don´t exploit or hurt you, but if you pay attention, you can tell false from real friends. Real friends are happy if you succeed and will refresh you, while false friends will be envious if you succeed and will try to drag you down.
Remember that People are people. No matter how angry you get at people, they are not objects, they have feeling and they can be hurt. Hurting people is bad. Never forget that. Hurting them makes them suffer. Remember that other people care about each other, and if someone is hurt, many more people will suffer too"
"I read that there is a golden rule in most of the world´s religions which says Do not do onto others, what you don´t want to have done to you. It also means that you should only do to others what you would want them to do to you.
I do care about you and mother. I don´t want anything bad happen to you. Is it the same for other people?"
"Yes exactly! Ayano, you are learning"
"Dad, why are you and mom so different?"
Oh Ayano, if only I knew…
"I will tell you one day, once you are older. It is a difficult subject for another time."
"Will you promise to tell me?"
"I promise"
I hugged her and felt more hopeful than in a long time. Ayano you do care… you are not your mother. I hope it is enough.
"Ayano, there is something else I need you to know. Please tell me about it, whenever you mother is teaching you peculiar things while I am away again . Don't tell you mother that you told me. Can you promise me ?"
"I promise you, Dad"
Hopefully it will be enough if I know about what SHE is doing…