From Tamarind and Star Fruit to Soldiering

Two neighbor children cursed each other over a tamarind. Years later, upon joining the army, they deeply understood the meaning of their old neighborhood.

The summer heat was scorching, and the south wind carried the scent of burning rice straw. Two children stood by a thorny fence, their small hands clutching sour tamarinds. The chirping of sparrows could be heard from the thatched roof.

“You stole the star fruit from my tree, you thief!”

The boy on the other side yelled, his face flushed red.

They were neighbors, with gardens adjoining each other, where one family’s cat often visited the other. In their childhood, they often fought over fruits, and at night, their parents would toss garbage over the fence. Growing a bit older, when angry, they would shout vague insults:

“You and your whole family should just be thrown into the river!”

Then, one joined the army and went to the battlefield, where gunfire boomed. Amidst the bombs and bullets, he realized: the enemy out there was fierce and cruel, while the neighbor from years ago was just a child fighting over tamarind and star fruit. He silently thought:

“Back then, I cursed his parents over some fruit. How foolish.”

When peace came, he returned. He met his neighbor, who had grown wealthy, still harboring resentment:

“You cursed me back then. What are you here for now?”

He looked on quietly, his heart at peace, choosing not to argue. He saw clearly: the foolishness of childhood was past, and being kind now was the true meaning of being neighbors.

The turning point was when the battlefield taught him the value of compassion. He did not retaliate, only smiled and walked on.

In their old age, the two families still lived side by side. He kept his heart light, no longer holding onto the anger over fruits from long ago.

Meaning of the Story

In youth, it is easy to have wrongful thoughts and harbor petty resentments. Only after growing through life's ups and downs does one truly find compassion. A moment of mindfulness helps in letting go of winning and losing, keeping the mind and heart clear.

Compiled from a Dharma talk by Venerable Thích Chân Quang