The Happy Mirror ( Japanese Folk tale)
1. Yes, I agree to the father’s avouch.
“ If you bring a smiling face in the mirror, you will see a smiling face. If you are a cross, you will see a cross face in it. ”
The mirror pertains ‘what you have done’ while the reflection pertains the world. You are the one who will make you’re actions and the world will just reflect what you have done. For example, you do good to others, other will do good to you. Similarly, this Japanese folk tale can be also compared with many different teachings. In example:
- Confucius’ teaching: “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.”
- likewise, to Jesus teaching: “A man reaps what he sows.”
- Also to Hinduism’s concept of karma.
- Many more in buddhism, and other religions.
The lesson of the story can be compared to many teachings but all these teachings tell only one important lesson: Do good and the world will also be good to you similarly, do bad and the world will be bad to you.
2.
A. I can relate in which the father brought presents for her daughter just like my father does whenever he went home from a trip. He give us delicious treats and presents. Also I can relate in the part in which the daughter’s parents gave her simple toys not gadget. My parents used to give my simple toys such as legos, cars, guns and many more.
B. The story reminds me of the days wherein my father was away for along time because he was called by his boss for a meeting in Quezon and when he got home, his bag was full of yummy delicacies such as Uraro, Kalamay, etc. I was so happy and sad at the same time because I gained weight. Nevertheless, My father was thoughtful and we were thankful.
3.
A. As I’ve said earlier, the mirror pertains ‘karma.’ The reflection pertains the world while you pertain yourself. What you’re doing, the reflection will do the same. Similarly, what you do to the world, the world will also do it to you. You’ll only see yourself because you’re the one who is in control of your own actions.
B. When you look out a window, you’ll not see your face or your reflection, you’ll only see the other side or the outside of the window. You’ll only see the world; you’ll only see others’ action. We tend to judge others whilst we don’t think of ourselves. Yes, you’ll see yourself but not clearly because when we look at a window, we focus more to the other side. On the other hand, when you look in the mirror you’ll see yourself or you’re reflection looking back at you. We tend to judge ourselves physically but do we need to keep judging others as well as ourselves? Are we too blind to see ourselves emotionally or psychologically? How about spiritually? When we look to a mirror, we focus more to ourselves. It’s your decision how you’ll judge yourself or how you’ll see yourself in the mirror, because no matter what others will see in the mirror, the most important is what you see in yourself. You are who you are.
C. Looking in a mirror, specifically looking at you’re eyes will help you reflect to yourself. When we look into a mirror we ask ourselves: am I handsome/pretty? Am I perfect? The society today makes us ask these questions, but what are the real questions we should ask to ourselves when we look in a mirror? You should ask yourself these: Who am I?-And you are the only one who can answer this question.
D. Looking in a mirror is more positive than looking out a window. When we look out a window, we see the outside world. We tend to judge others’ mistakes or imperfections; we tend to hurt others even though we think we didn’t do anything wrong. It will also get your attention and focus. We tend to meddle to others’ life instead of doing ourselves. On the contrary, When we look to a mirror, we only see ourselves; our reflection. We focus more to our selves rather than to others. It helps us to reflect more to our lives.
E. As I’ve said, the lesson of the story can be compared to many teachings like from Jesus and Confuciu, but all these teachings tell only one important lesson: Do good things and the world will also do good things to you similarly, do bad things and the world will also do bad things to you.
The world is full of darkness, if you seem to cannot find the light, be the light.
