August, 6, 1945. On that day the United States detonated an atom bomb named Little Boy over Hiroshima. The number of those who lived bearing the explosion’s impact was greater than the number of those who died in the bombing. Sadako Sasaki, a girl who lived at a mile’s distance, was one among them.
One day, Sadako was playing with her classmates in the compound of the school as usual, when she collapsed. She was taken to the hospital and at the end of the detailed tests, she was diagnosed with blood cancer. The medical science concluded that she was a victim of radiation exposure. Her life was confined to bed. She was only twelve years old then.
Even though she had no clear idea what disease had befallen her, she guessed from the sad faces of her parents and the subdued talks of the doctors that she had some serious issue. Even though she felt sad, she made a decision: No one should cry because of me.
From that day onwards, she began to lead a life that implemented her decision. Her smiles and laughter relieved and alleviated the sorrows of others as well. She became an inspiration for other patients. Only a few people can smile and live happily in the midst of serious diseases.
On one of those days, a program was conducted in the hospital under the aegis of Red Cross Youth. Sadako won prizes in singing and dancing contests. That day she got origami cranes as prizes along with a greeting: everything will be fine.
His father told her the story behind those paper cranes. A crane is believed to be a creature that can live for a thousand years. From this story, a belief was derived among the Japanese people. Those who are able to make thousand cranes a year will get their desires fulfilled. Paper cranes were one of the main gifts presented to patients. It was a part of greeting them for speedy recovery and wishing them a long life.
He added that by giving that gift they were actually greeting her a long and healthy life. The story of the cranes touched Sadako’s heart. From that day onwards, she began to make paper cranes in various colors. She set apart some time for making these origami cranes in the midst of her treatment and suffering.Â
Before long, her room in  the  hospital was full of origami cranes. Even though the doctors saw her making them, none of them prevented her. They knew that she was a candle that could extinct at any time.
When she began making the cranes, her wish was not to obtain a long life, but for the cure of patients like her, for those who suffer from the impact of war, and for the peace of the world…
If there was peace in the world, wars would have ended. If there was no war, nations would not attack their neighboring countries. So, the absence of peace is the reason for all problems in the world. Thus, Sadako fixed peace of the world as her sole prayer intention.
Sadako forgot her own sufferings when she made the cranes and immersed in prayer for the world’s peace. Meanwhile, all others continued to pray for her cure and long life. But one day morning, her mother who went to her to wake her up, saw her lying dead!
When she was dying, Sadako was working on her 644th crane. Realizing that they should make 1000 cranes before sending her to the tomb, the doctors, nurses, and all her near and dear began to make cranes. They completed those cranes and bid her last farewell with a thousand origami cranes. Today there is a memorial erected in front of the hospital in which she died, and a golden origami crane is displayed in the Hiroshima Museum.
No one can hear her story without getting their eyes moistened. Her life story still inspires the world. Why does her story inspire us so much?
Primarily, it was her decision not to cause pain to anyone. Just examine in which all ways we hurt others. We become a cause for the pain of others knowingly or unknowingly by our behavior, talk, and by denying what they deserve. If only we make a decision not to cause pain to others, we will be able to bring solace into the lives of many people.
Secondly, Sadako challenges the nature of prayer. We often pray for our own needs. I want this. I want that. But Sadako’s prayer intention was the peace of the world. It was with this motive that she began to make origami cranes. How great is that mind which is willing to work for the peace of the world selflessly!
Whether they are fables or myths, some beliefs bring solace to men. It is a myth to believe that making a thousand cranes can make your desires a reality. But Sadako believed it. That belief was a feeble branch on which she held tight for keeping her hope alive amidst all uncertainties and despair. We should have some beliefs to cling to, which console us and not harm others.
How long have we been living in this world? Have I been able to do anything for the peace of the world like Sadako? What mark will I leave in this world when I leave this earth? What will be the epitaph on my tomb?
