The Begining Of The 500 Years - Part I

There was once an orphan girl in ancient China who had never experienced the love of a family, happiness nor sadness. Upon reaching marriageable age she was introduced to numerous eligible young bachelors but they just never seemed to be the right man for her, not the person she was waiting for. As it so happened, she chanced a glimpse of a young man at a crowded temple fair and immediately felt that he had been the man she had been searching for. Unfortunately with the throngs of people that day, the man of her dreams did not see her and she lost sight of him before she could approached him. Even though the good looking young man did not see her, she yearned for the opportunity for that one more look again. However for the next two years it was a search in vain no matter where she looked.

Saddened, she prayed earnestly to the Buddha daily asking him for the chance to see the man of her dreams again. All she requested for was just for that one more look. The Buddha moved by her sincerity manifested in front of her and asked her if she was prepared to sacrifice everything including losing her freedom and right to thought just for that one more view at the man. To which she replied with greatest affirmation. Buddha asked her again if she would be willing to pay the price and be turned into a huge rock meditating for the next 500 years just for the chance. She replied for that one more sighting she was willing to endure all sufferings.

Her wish was granted and was turned into a huge boulder on a barren ground weathering over the four seasons. Despite the hardship, she preserved mediating knowing that in time she will once again meet the man that stole her heart. The hardest part of it all was over the next 400 over years, not a single soul walked past. The forlorn girl sat thinking if only there were people walking past at least that will give her some encouragement that one of them one day could be her prince charming.

Through the scorching heat of the summer and bitter cold of winter, the 500 years neared. One day a group of travelling craftsmen on route to the next town walked by. As they were contracted to build a bridge in the town centre, they found her size very handy and hacked her down into smaller manageable pieces. Over the next few months the bridge was built and she became a part of it, sited on the highest curve of it with the view to all the town folks walking by. The day the bridge was completed it was also the final day of her wait. As it was opened for use, she saw before her the very man she had so yearned for the last 500 years. It brought elation to her as he appeared finally and in full view due to her placement, she was finally able to get her wish granted. She felt her sufferings and loneliness had been worth it. While that should had brought her wish to a closure, the young man seemed to be in a hurry that day and hastily walked by failing to realize that she was gazing at him lovingly.