I had this strory fowarded to my email few days ago. I think this is a great story to share. So I copy the whole content and paste it here. Its about a letter which was posted on New America Media on March 19.
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THISletter, written by Vietnamese immigrant Ha Minh Thanh working in Fukushima as a policeman to a friend in Vietnam, was posted on New America Media on March 19. It is a testimonial to the strength of the Japanese spirit, and an interesting slice of life near the epicenter of Japan ‘s crisis at the Fukushima nuclear
power plant. It was translated by NAM editor Andrew Lam, author of “East Eats West: Writing in Two Hemispheres.” Shanghai Daily condensedit.
Brother,
How are you and your family? These last few days, everythingwas in chaos. When I close my eyes, I see dead bodies. When I open my eyes, I also see deadbodies.
Each one of us must work 20 hours a day, yet I wish there were 48 hours in the day, so that we could continue helping and rescuing folks.
We are without water and electricity, and food rations arenear zero. We barely manage to move refugees before there arenew orders to move themelsewhere.
I am currently in Fukushima , about 25 kilometers away from the nuclear power plant. I have so much to tell you that if I could write it all down, it would surely turn into a novel about human relationships and behaviors during times ofcrisis.
People here remain calm – their sense of dignity and proper behavior are very good – so things aren’t as bad as they could be. But given another week, I can’t guarantee that thingswon’t get to a point where we can no longer provide proper protection andorder.
They are humans after all, and when hunger and thirst override dignity, well, they will do whatever they have to do.The government is trying to provide supplies by air, bringing in food and medicine, but it’s like dropping a little salt intothe ocean.
Brother, there was a really moving incident. It involves a little Japanese boy who taught an adult like me a lesson on howto behave like a humanbeing.
Last night, I was sent to a little grammar school to help a charity organization distribute food to the refugees. It was a long line that snaked this way and that and I saw a little boy around 9 years old. He was wearing a T-shirt and a pair of shorts.
It was getting very cold and the boy was at the very end ofthe line. I was worried that by the time his turn came there wouldn’t be any food left. So I spoke to him. He said he was at school when the
earthquake happened. His father worked nearby and was driving to the school. The boy was on the third floor balcony when he saw the tsunami sweep his father’s caraway.
I asked him about his mother. He said his house is right by the beach and that his mother and little sister probably didn’t make it. He turned his head and wiped his tears when I asked about his relatives.
The boy was shivering so I took off my police jacket and put it on him. That’s when my bag of food ration fell out. I picked it up and gave it to him. “When it comes to your turn, theymight run
out of food. So here’s my portion. I already ate. Why don’t you eatit?”
The boy took my food and bowed. I thought he would eat it right away, but he didn’t. He took the bag of food, went up to where the line ended and put it where all the food was waiting to be distributed.
I was shocked. I asked him why he didn’t eat it and instead added it to the food pile. He answered: “Because I see a lotmore people hungrier than I am. If I put it there, then they will distribute the foodequally.”
When I heard that I turned away so that people wouldn’t see me cry.
A society that can produce a 9-year-old who understands the concept of sacrifice for the greater good must be agreat society, a greatpeople.
Well, a few lines to send you and your family my warm wishes. The hours of my shift have begunagain.
Ha MinhThanh
10 things to learnfrom Japan.
1. THE CALM
Not a single visual of chest-beating or wildgrief. Sorrow itself has been elevated.
2. THE DIGNITY
Disciplined queues for water and groceries. Not arough word or a crude gesture.
3. THE ABILITY
The incredible architects, for instance. Buildingsswayed but didn’t fall.
4. THE GRACE
People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybodycould get something.
5. THE ORDER
No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on theroads. Just understanding.
6. THE SACRIFICE
Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in theN-reactors. How will they ever be repaid?
7. THE TENDERNESS
Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. Thestrong cared for the weak.
8. THE TRAINING
The old and the children, everyone knew exactly whatto do. And they did just that.
9. THE MEDIA
They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. Nosilly reporters. Only calm reportage.
10. THE CONSCIENCE When the power went off in a store, people putthings back on the shelves and left quietly
Being visited Japan twice, i couldnt agree more. What a great people!
Can we act the same during hardship? ENTAHLAH..I dont Know.
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