Asoka Springs

A Farmer, tired from his work, sat on a reed mat, drinking a cup of tea to relax, when a boy marched into the cottage. There were tear stains on the boy’s face.

“You look like you have been crying, my son. Is something wrong?” asked the father.

“The Girl I liked turned me down.” started the boy. “She told me she liked someone else the way I like her!” The boy then took a deep breath to compose himself. “I don’t feel like I’m good enough for anybody! And that makes me SAD and ANGRY!” He then stomped. “I wish I could CAST OUT this SADNESS and ANGER!!”

Pouring a cup of tea for his son, the humble farmer sat in front of the boy and started “Sit, my son, I shall tell you a story passed down by my forefathers on why it’s important to be accepting of our negative emotions…”

Skeptical, but content to have something to drink, the boy obeyed his instruction to sit.

“Many moons ago, in a peaceful, humble village in the mountains called ‘Asoka Springs’, there was a hot spring surrounded by proud, tall Ceylon Trees and Coral Trees, which was revered by the local villagers. It started with a shepherd Boy who came upon the Spring location after fighting off a Wolf that killed and tried to eat one of his sheep. Covered in animal blood and crying tears of anger, the boy washed off the blood on him in the spring waters, and found his sadness and anger slowly being sapped from his heart. The boy told his mother and father about the Spring, who felt their stress be washed away from their souls. The next day, a Farmer whose wife died giving birth to their second child took a contemplative walk to heal his grief when he found the water source. Face stained with tears, the man cupped some water into his hands and splashed it upon his when when he felt the urge to cry more rinsing away from his being. Relieved to have his emotional burden removed, the farmer felt motivated to return to his farm to work on his farm again. Word passed around the village. The Springs became famous for washing away sadness, anger, frustration, and other negative emotions from anyone who bathed in its crystal clear waters. From fishermen afraid of watery graves, to teen girls kicked out of their group of friends, the spring drank up all of the negative emotions of traveling visitors. But a local priest felt that the Spring shouldn’t be burdened with other people’s own problems. Skeptical that removing negative emotions was beneficial long term, the monk suggested people avoid the springs, but the villagers and surrounding people wouldn’t listen. As people continued washing themselves in the Springs, the water steadily became filthier, cloudier, and more toxic. Eventually, one fateful day, a boy whose father was killed by bandits approached the sacred water sources when, to the horror and disgust of the boy, the water was black, putrid, and viscous. The spring’s surrounding Trees and plants withered and lifeless. The air over the natural scenery was thick and grey. Disgusted but desperate, the boy jumped into the deep end of the water source, a second after coming into contact with gooey mess, massive, grotesque, writhing tendrils of pure dark energy whipped and rushed up and in all directions around the land, cutting down trees, breaking down houses, blowing over crops, and terrifying people all around the forested mountains. The next day, the negative emotions of the population combined together into a giant human-like creature, stomping its way to the last village standing. When the dark monster was about to unleash its wrath on the last village, the village Priest stood forward, arms stretched wide.

“Sadness, Anger, Fears, Stress, and Hatred, I offer you my heart! I shall embrace you, just stop this rampage!”

The negative emotions broke away from each other to take shelter inside of the shaman’s body one by one until every negative emotion had buried itself in the spiritual leader. The man turned to the villagers.

“The weight of these negative emotions are causing a tremendous amount of strain upon my body, so I am not long for this mortal world, so I shall keep my statement to you all brief. Negative Emotions are not a curse to be purged or suppressed. Our sadness, our anger, our fear, our disgust, and our frustrations and hatred are a part of what makes us human, that is why we must embrace them as much as we embrace our happiness, our relief, our hopefulness, and our love. Take these words to heart, and embrace your uncomfortable feelings. Then, the balance of life shall be restored. Farewell…”

Once he said farewell, the spiritual adviser dropped dead, his body landing in the now empty spring, melting into pure water. Small, dark gray orbs rose from the water where the shaman’s body was and flew to the crowd of people. The villagers welcomed the orbs of negative emotions with open arms as the feelings returned to their vessels. As the entities merged with each of their respective hosts, a pleasant, calming feeling that felt like an inner cool breeze flowed throughout themselves, contrasting the chaotic heat of the chaos and suffering. The people learned to embrace their sadness, their anger, their fear, and their hatred as a part of themselves as much as their happiness, their hope, and their love. Finally, with the cosmic balance restored, the wooded mountains came back to life, and peace returned to the land. To prevent the misuse of the spring’s healing powers again, the villagers and surrounding country people kept the existence and location of the springs a secret.”

“...And, that, my son, is why you should be sad when you feel sad, and be angry when you feel angry.” explained the elder.

“I…I feel much better now, father…” The boy started. “Thank you.”

“Just remember, negative thoughts and feelings will get better and go away on their own, as long as you accept them as part of who you are.”

A girl then walked into the hut.

“Chen, I just came over to say I’m sorry I made you sad. I told the boy I liked I liked him, but he said that he liked another girl. I’m sorry, can you give me another chance?” asked the Girl.

“Of course, Sung!” said the boy. “But first, I’d like you to listen to a story my father told me about why it’s a good thing to be sad. Father, can you tell the story again for Sung?” asked the boy.

“I’d love to, son…” started the Farmer.

“This story was told unto me by my forefathers on how negative thoughts and emotions are part of what makes us a whole…”