Sweet Bean Paste

by Durian Sukegawa

‘Yes, but the world isn’t an easy place…’

‘Why is it that a simple confectionery-maker has to suffer so much?’

When the law changed, for one happy moment we all thought we could go home. But more than a dozen years have passed since then and almost no one has come forward to take us back. The world hasn’t changed. It’s just as cruel as it always was.’

‘Sorry to burden you with so much sadness today, my dear. But I tell you, it’s a weight off my chest to be able to talk about it. Thank you for listening.’

It’s my belief that everything in this world has its own language. We have the ability to open up our ears and minds to anything and everything. That could be someone walking down the street, or it could be the sunshine or the wind.

I try to live a blameless life, but am crushed at times by peoples’ lack of understanding.

I know you may not be able to hear anything now, even if you try, but please don’t give up. I feel sure that one day you will find whatever it is you seek, and that the spark that leads to it will come from hearing some kind of voice. People’s lives never stay the same colour forever. There are times when the colour of life changes completely.

I began to understand that we were born in order to see and listen to the world. And that’s all this world wants of us. It doesn’t matter that I was never a teacher or a member of the workforce, my life had meaning.

All experience adds up to a life lived as only you could. I feel sure the day will come when you can say: this is my life.