The Urban Dao Child

Yang Dao did not expect that when he peeks inside he will find Sister Tina, dressed up in the grieving habit. He walked inside when she called upon him. He crouched in from of him and asked, “Are you okay, Sister Tina?”

Sister Tina nodded as she sighed, “I cried all night long, then it clicked to me that I cannot actually control everything in the world. Those children maybe they were only meant to live this long. I can only pray that they are all in a better place. May their souls rest in peace and may the angels watch over them.”

Yang Dao did not believe in god much but he never stepped back when Sister Tina said prayers, he said, “Amen.”

Then taking a deep breath he said, “You are stronger than me Sister Tina. I cannot handle this pain inside me.” his voice became low as he went on.

Sister Tina stretched her hand and placed it over his head. She said, “I know you do not believe in God. But did you not read the Words Of God? How can you not see the logic in it?”

Yang Dao raised his head to look at her as she said, “It is okay for humans to feel grief, sorrow, joy, lust, and anger. That makes you human. But do not let them take control of you. Only when you let the not affect your state of mind, do you become the true human.”

Yang Dao picked up the cue where she dropped it, “Those who stay the same whether it is joy or sorrow can step over the bounds of life and death. Only those who have the heart free like a river and doesn’t let the flow of life restricted can be free from the bonds of mortality.” he stopped.

Sister Tina picked up, “Those who can brave the storms of life with a smile on their face and those who can see the misery hidden in those desperate smiles, can be the saint among men.”

Yang Dao finished, “Those who can carry on their duties with peace in their minds can be sages. Those who realize that tranquility lies inside the eye of the storm can be at peace.”

Sister Tina and he spoke at the same time, “Those who understand that their deeds can make them ascend are the true humans.”

Yang Dao pondered over these words, and his grief calmed down. He understood that everything in the world is not in his control. It is okay that he feels emotional pain, but letting his emotions overwhelm him is bad. His emotions should not be the master of his life but the other way around. He took a deep breath and leaned his head against Sister Tina’s knees, as he kneeled.

He said, “If there is a god in the world, it resides within you.”

Sister Tina said, “If there is a god in the world, it resided within us.” her hand kept stroking Yang Dao’s hair. The two people stayed there in silence until the door was knocked.

Yang Dao stood up and asked, “Who is it?”

The door was pushed open, two girls holding hands walked in. They were the twins, Nina, and Mina. They had red eyes at this moment. Yang Dao walked up to them, touched their heads, and asked, “Are they done?”

The two girls nodded. Sister Tina stood up from the bed and said, “Come, let us send your brothers off.” ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀ​ꪶ​

The two girls hugged Sister Tina. The lady sighed with a heavy heart and coaxed them to be brave.

…

Just as Laohu Bai heard the wailing, a few children came downstairs. holding shovels both big and small. They stopped when they saw Laohu Bai. Cao walked forward and asked, “Big Sister, do you need anything?”

Cao glanced at Tasha and said, “Tasha, stay here to see the guest, we will go to dig. Send someone up when they co… come.”

Laohu Bai shook her head but  suddenly asked, “Can I help you with the digging? I have some understanding of the soil.”

Cao and the others exchanged a glance, they were kids, having an adult along would not bother so they nodded. Three girls were asked to stay back and inform the rest when the ambulance arrives.

Tasha nodded, together with Nina, and Mina she came and sat down near the counter while the boys went off to the big ground. The orphanage had a big ground which was used by the school for various meets. Now a corner of it was covered with plants and trees. It was not cluttered but very well arranged. The curator of the orphanage was a person with OCD, his freakiness was passed down to children as well.

Cao and the other children asked the curator about where to dig the graves and they were pointed to that corner. Soon, they were done digging, do not look down on them because of their tender age. They were all responsible for taking care of the orphanage chores. So shoveling the snow in the winters and other stuff was learned. So, they easily dug three deep pits. All as deep as five feet deep.

Laohu Bai used the big shovel and it was thanks to her that they were all done in half an hour. When they got back all of them saw the ambulance parked at the side. Tasha stood there shivering. Laohu Bai stepped forward placed her hand on the little girl’s shoulder and asked the escort guy, “Where do I sign?”

The guy said, “Madam, you need to be the orphanage staff for that.” he spoke apologetically. he noticed that Laohu Bai had the military uniform on.

Just when Laohu Bai was about to rebuke him a voice came from behind her, “I will sign the undertaking document, sir please wait.”

It was sister Tina who came down with Yang dao and the two girls. She nodded to Laohu Bai and walked up to the man. Her hands shivered slightly as she took hold of the document but then she calmed her heart and signed it.

She spoke to the boys, “Go, take your brothers down and take them to their place of rest. Also, don’t cry. They will all feel sad watching you like this. Go.”

The boys nodded and walked away to the ambulance, Yang Dao was in the lead. Sister Tina turned around and spoke to Laohu Bai, “Dao, told me what you did. Thank you.”

She was about to bow when Laohu Bai stopped her and said, “You have taken care of my young master throughout his life. Please do not bow. I cannot accept that.”

Her words confused Sister Tina but she thought that Laohu Bai was a member of the Feng household and attendant to Yang Dao. Actually, her earlier words were just courtesy. All the children and the members of the Orphanage staff gathered together and attended the funeral of the three children.

The event came to a closure amidst a lot of tears and heavy hearts. But then again that was life. Sorrows and happiness are the two sides of a coin, one is light and the other is dark.

Yang Dao spent the day inside the orphanage with his ‘family’.