Long ago, in a quiet snowy village, there lived an elderly couple known for their kindness and simplicity. Though their hearts were full of warmth, their lives were marked by financial hardship. As the New Year approached, a time when families would normally enjoy festive rice cakes together, the couple realized they couldn't afford any for themselves. Wanting to do something to earn a little money, the old man set out to weave straw hats and headed to the market to sell them. Sadly, despite the cold and all his efforts, he returned home with every hat still in his basket, not a single one sold.
On his way back through the snow-covered streets, the old man came across six stone statues of Ksitigarbha, silent and still by the roadside, their heads blanketed with snow. Moved by compassion, he gently tried brushing the snow off their heads. But the snow kept falling and covering them again. So he made a heartfelt decision. He took out the unsold straw hats and carefully placed one on each of the statues to shield them from the cold. There were only five hats, so for the sixth statue, he removed his own scarf and wrapped it around its head. With no hats left and his scarf gone, he walked home shivering but with peace in his heart.
When he arrived home, his wife was startled to see him so cold and wet. He told her about what had happened and how he had used the hats and his scarf to protect the statues from the snow. Instead of scolding him for giving away the items they might have sold, she smiled gently and said, “Even without the rice cakes, you’ve done something good today.” That small moment of mutual understanding warmed their tiny home more than any feast ever could.
Later that night, as snow continued to fall softly outside, the couple was awakened by a strange rustling noise at their front door. Cautiously, they opened it and gasped in astonishment. There, stacked neatly in front of their house, were large rice cakes, bundles of rice, fresh vegetables, and fish. It was more than enough for a proper New Year’s celebration. As they stepped out onto the snowy path, the old man saw six small figures quietly walking away in the distance. Each figure wore one of his straw hats, and the last one wore the scarf he had tied with his own hands.
In that magical moment, the couple realized what had happened. Their simple act of kindness had been seen and remembered, and it returned to them in the form of unexpected blessings. What they lacked in wealth, they had in compassion, and that had made all the difference.