It Will End When It Will End

It is a bright sunny day but everyone at the temple is down in spirit. The Covid-19 Pandemic is raging all over the world, leaving fear and misery everywhere.  We have been put under "lockdown"  and told to stay home.  Even the nuns have lost some of their cheerfulness, what can we do except pray that this terrible nightmare will soon be over.

One morning when we had finished our prayers and were having breakfast in the kitchen, I asked Head Nun anxiously, "When do you think the pandemic will end, Head Nun?"  She looked at me and said, "It will end when it will end."  She left the table and I couldn't get any more out of her.

Feeling rather restless, I went in search of the old cat, Ah Kong whom we had brought from Mi Mi's home.

"Ah Kong, when do you think the pandemic will end?"  I asked.  I had always respected him for his wisdom and felt he would be able to give me an optimistic answer.

He thought for a while, then said, "It will end when it will end."  I was surprised that he gave the same answer as Head Nun.  Had he overheard my conversation with her?  But then it was not possible as he stayed in the courtyard away from the kitchen.

I decided to take a walk in the garden and bumped into one of the doves who lives in the eaves of the temple roof.  I casually asked her, "Mei Mei, when do you think the pandemic will end?"

She cocked her head to one side, then cooed, "It will end when it will end."

I couldn't believe my ears.  The same answer three times in a row!  I must be going cuckoo, I thought, I've been grounded at the temple for too long and must be hearing things.

Just then Ning sauntered in from goodness knows where.  He's not one to obey the law and I suppose being a clever cat, he can easily sneak his way round the bushes without being caught.

 "What's up, Da?" he asked.  I looked at him and decided to try him.

"Ning, when do you think the pandemic will end?"

He shrugged, then said, "I don't know."  He walked away and just as I was breathing a sigh of relief because he hadn't given me the answer I dreaded, he suddenly turned back and said, "It will end when it will end."

I went back to the temple a little shaken.  No one was in the kitchen except for Head Nun, who was slicing sweet potato for afternoon tea.

"So, Vege Cat," she asked.  "Have you found your answer yet?"

I shook my head, tears welling up in my eyes.  "Head Nun, you won't believe this ....." I began.

Head Nun smiled, then said, "I know, I know.  Vege Cat, this crisis will pass like all other crisis before. Don't waste your time speculating when or how. Use this time for introspection, to strengthen your faith in the Lord Buddha, to practise His teachings, to pray for those who are not so fortunate and who are suffering from day to day. Be calm and look at things in a positive way. Above all, count your blessings.  When you are grateful for the things you have in life, you will have more things to be grateful for, remember that."

I nodded dumbly.  Head Nun was right of course.  I do have a lot to be grateful for - a roof over my head, food on my table and best of all, a wonderful teacher like Head Nun.

"I've found the answer to my question, Head Nun!"  I cried excitedly.

"And what is it, my dear cat?" she asked..

"It will end when it will end," I said, a smile on my lips.