HE was a sadhu like any other sadhu except he had a grin on his face. He looked at my glum face and asked, “You like my smile?” I nodded even as he changed his expression and made his face a grimace, “How do you like me now?” “Horrible!” I said. “That’s how you look,” he said, his smile back on his face.
“Why should I smile?” I asked. “Ah!” he said, his face lighting up even more, “A smile is the light in your window that tells others there is a caring, sharing person inside!” “I’m not in a mood to show that part of me, I’m sad inside!” I said. “Every tear has a smile behind it!” said the smiling sadhu his face showing understanding, “but the real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection!”I looked up at him and for a moment was held fascinated by the smile that came from well within his heart, “Your smile is different!”
I said simply and I heard him laugh, “My smile starts on my lips, my grin spreads to the eyes, then a chuckle comes from my belly, and a good laugh bursts from my soul, overflows, and bubbles all around!” “That I can feel!” I told him.
“You’re smiling!” he said. “You make me!” I said, “How?” “Ah!” he said, “I’m a good neighbor who smiles at you over the back fence, but doesn’t climb over it!” “Thank you!” I said my eyes glistening, my face lit up. “What an inexpensive way to change your looks!” said the smiling sadhu as he placed a mirror in front of me, “And do you know something?” “What?” I asked.
“A smile is a curve that sets everything straight!” “Thanks, and goodbye!” I said, “I can almost feel everything becoming alright!” I walked away my heart lighter, and a grin on my face when I heard him call out, “Wait!” “Yes?” I said turning to him, and finding his face etched with a grin from his heart. “Tell others that life is short but a smile barely takes a second!”“Yes I will Sadhuji!” I said. “Tell them smiles are the language of love and all people smile in the same language!”
“I will,” I said. “And my friend,” he said his voice growing louder, “I believe there was a smile of joy on God’s face when He created you and me, and if we are made in the image of God, then that smile should always be there to show people whose children we are!” “That’s true!”
I shouted gleefully, as a smile started on my lips, a grin spread to my eyes, then a chuckle came from my belly and laughter sprang out from my soul, overflowed, and bubbled all around as I felt joyous about life again..!
