The following story unfolded in a small town in the Southern United States at the dawn of the last century. It tells of a little girl named Susanna and a boy named Sam, whose childhood would be shaped by friendship, wonder, and a bond that would echo across lifetimes — a bond to the Buddha.
What is darkness?
Sam and Susanna were neighbors who grew up side by side, becoming inseparable friends. Susanna’s parents were farmers, while Sam was the son of a carpenter. When Susanna was 1 year old, she fell ill and lost her vision. Sam would often ask his father to make little toys, such as trains, wooden horses, and figurines, and he would bring them to Susanna to play with her.
Susanna didn’t learn to walk until she was three, while Sam was already eight. He took her to the river and the mountain, taught her to fly kites, and herded geese with her. He didn’t mind that she was blind. By the age of four, Susanna could discern the direction of the wind, the fragrance of flowers, and the songs of birds. She wore two neat braids, spoke little, and was shy and introspective. Other children mocked Susanna and wouldn’t play with her.
Once, a boy made a funny face at Susanna. Sam stepped in to defend her, but the boy sneered: “Susanna can’t see! She’s blind and will forever live in darkness.” This was the first time Susanna heard the word “darkness.” Though she’d lived in darkness all her life, she couldn’t grasp what it meant. She asked Sam what darkness was, but he didn’t know how to answer. “You only need to tell what is light.”
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