មិនដឹងសេាះ, Never Know

A crow was deeply unhappy with his life. One day, as he sat crying on a branch, a monk noticed him and asked, “Why are you crying?”

The crow replied, “Everyone dislikes me. I wish I were someone else.”

The monk said, “I may be able to help you. But first, go and ask a swan if he is truly happy.”

The crow flew to the swan. The swan said, “I am not happy. I am only white. Surely the parrot is happier than I am.”

The crow then went to the parrot. The parrot said, “I am not happy either. People capture us and lock us in cages. The peacock must be the happiest.”

Finally, the crow visited the peacock. The peacock said, “People admire me, but I live confined in a zoo. You are free, crow. I wish I had your life.”

The crow returned, silent and thoughtful.

Moral:
We often compare our lives with others and overlook our own blessings.
Gratitude brings peace and happiness, while comparison only steals it.

How often do we do exactly this in our lives?

Someone hurts us, betrays us, abandons us, disrespects us — and instead of tending to the wound, we chase the person.
We want answers.
Closure.
Apologies.
Recognition.
Validation that we were right and they were wrong.

But while we chase… the poison spreads.

Rumination deepens pain.
Replaying the moment reopens the wound.
Seeking explanations from someone who harmed you keeps you tied to the harm.

The mind believes healing will come from understanding why.
But often, there is no answer that will soothe the heart.

Because the injury was not logical.
It was human.

Buddhist wisdom is practical:
When you are poisoned, treat the poison first.

Your peace does not depend on their explanation.
Your closure does not depend on their apology.
Your healing does not depend on their awareness.

It depends on your turning inward with compassion.

Sometimes people hurt because they are unconscious.
Sometimes because they are afraid.
Sometimes because they lack the capacity you hoped they had.
Sometimes for no clear reason at all.

Chasing the snake keeps you in the field of danger.
Healing moves you out of it.

So instead of asking:
“Why did they do this to me?”

Ask:
“What does my heart need now?”
“What boundary protects me?”
“What lesson frees me?”
“What care heals me?”

This is not denial.
It is wisdom.

You are not excusing the bite.
You are refusing to keep the venom alive inside you.

Some wounds close without answers.
Some peace arrives without justice.
Some freedom comes without apology.

The Buddha’s teaching is simple and fierce:

Do not spend your life chasing snakes.
Remove the poison.
Tend the wound.
Walk away whole.