A simple friendship

My Tokyo neighbor Suzuki-san took great joy in walking her ailing Chihuahua, Pon-chan, around the neighborhood. When Pon-chan died suddenly one day, my neighbor was deeply saddened. I wanted to cheer her up, so I had my daughter write a note in Japanese that read, "I'm looking forward to seeing you happy again!" I left the message and a box of cookies by the woman's door.

The next day as I was riding away on my bicycle, I saw Suzuki-san cleaning up her yard and called out a hearty "Good morning!" As I returned home, she was unlocking the door to her house, and she asked, "Did you leave me cookies and a note yesterday?"

"Cookies and a note?" I asked. "Was the note in English?"

"No," she said. "The note was in Japanese."

"Oh," I said. "You know, I can't write in Japanese. The cookies must have come from someone else."

"Of course," she said. "I should have thought of that."

I told her I was glad to see her and that when she was in the mood, I would be happy to share some of her cookies with a cup of tea.

She invited me in on the spot, and we had a lovely conversation, as she showed me numerous photos of her beloved Pon-chan. I asked her if she was thinking of getting another dog. "No," she said, "The heartbreak of losing another pet would just be too much."

Two days later, when I came back home in the evening, there was a beautifully wrapped box next to my door. Inside the box was a container of my favorite tea. The note attached to the gift was written in English. It said, "Thanks so much for all your kindness!"

With the note being written in English, and my neighbor neither speaking nor writing English, there was no way I could ask if the tea came from her without admitting that the cookies had indeed come from me. How clever my neighbor was! She knew I wouldn't ask, and she knew I would be touched by the playful secret we now shared. It was all I could do not to laugh the next time we met!

Such is the beauty of a simple friendship.

Both of us knowing what the other felt,
And both of us sharing our hearts.
At a time when words can be too much.

A subtle gesture of solidarity,
Has the gentle yet piercing power,
To touch the heart of a friend.