Originally written: February 20, 2024
Once upon a time, there once was a woman who was very depressed. She did not understand where the source of her depression came from, nor could she find any source of relief. Her situation became so bad that she lost the will to perform her daily responsibilities of sewing, cooking for the family, and tending to the house.
One day, she woke up from bed and did not have the strength to leave. She tried forcing herself out of bed, but her body refused to listen.
Concerned, her husband sought help from her closest friends to cheer her up. The woman’s three friends came over, questioning why she was depressed despite having a beautiful life.
“You have an amazing ability to sew any design and mend the toughest fabrics like magic,” one friend shares.
“Think of your children,” another friend interjects. “You have a well-educated eldest son who is on a good path to becoming a scholar. Your daughter is stronger than most of the boys in her grade, and your youngest son is a gem for helping around the town. They need you to support them.”
“And what of your dear husband,” the third friend questions. “He’s so concerned he asked us to help you feel better. He doesn’t deserve a wife who is bedridden with whatever is going on with you. You’ve got a good man who needs a wife to support him.”
Despite her friends' best efforts, the woman grew worse. Her clothes lost their vibrance and her hair grew dull and thin.
Next, the husband sought help from a local Doctor, hoping there was a medical reason behind his wife’s despair.
The Doctor examined the woman but could not find a physical medical reason for her issues. The Doctor suspected a possible parasite living in her brain and forcing her into this deep depression. He offered to perform brain surgery on the woman, but it would be highly expensive.
The husband sighed as he could not afford complicated surgery. The Doctor nodded before giving his condolences and leaving.
As the Doctor left, the woman grew worse. Her skin lost color and her eyes grew cold and empty.
Panicking, the husband sought a local Priest for religious advice.
The Priest looked over the now frail woman, immediately declaring she was possessed by a demon. Continuing that the only solution would be to exorcise the intruder and kill it before it can inhabit a new body.
The Priest gathered his supplies: a holy book, sacred water, multiple followers, incense, a candle, and a bell. The Priest and the followers surrounded the woman’s bed and started chanting hymns in unison, one follower ringing a bell on specific beats. Another follower would splash the sacred water between the bell chimes. Another follower holding a candle and another is burning incense around the room.
After an hour of singing, the Priest admits defeat, claiming the demon has complete control over the man’s wife and she is doomed to die with her depression.
As the Priest leaves, the woman grows worse. Looking like a shell of her once former self, she lies in bed motionless with only the slight movements of a blanket rising to indicate her light breathing.
The husband sobs, trying to understand why his wife is in this situation. “I give you everything you could ever want. We make enough money to live a moderate life, we have healthy and happy children, who keep asking when Mom will get up and clean the house, and we have plenty of friends who are envious of our good fortune; what more could you want?
One day while the husband is shopping for supplies at the market, the local hermit notices the man looking sullen and inquires as to why. The man explains the situation with his wife and how no one has been able to help. If she continues, she will die from depression. The hermit requests to see his wife, believing he has an idea that has not been considered yet.
The hermit looks upon the decrepit woman, surprised by the severity of the situation. He leans down and whispers into the woman’s ear. After a few seconds, she whispers back.
The husband is shocked, stating it is the first time she has ever responded to anyone since her depression started. He races to his wife, asking “Are going to be okay?” “Are you feeling better yet?”
The hermit calmly tells the husband to step back. “She is still buried in her depression and too weak to do more than a light whisper. Allow me to come back tomorrow and try again.”
“Of course, whatever you can to help my dearly beloved,” the husband agrees.
The next day, the hermit greets the woman, leans down, and whispers in her ear again. This time, the woman responds faster and with more words. When her breath gives out, she returns to her catatonic state.
“Amazing, that was even better than yesterday,” the husband rejoices. “Tell me, does this mean she is going to get out of bed soon?”
“She is still too weak for that,” the hermit explains. “Allow me to return every day and hopefully we can see your wife steadily improve.”
“Yes! Of course. Whatever to get her better.”
Over the next week, the hermit would visit the depressed woman. Each time following the same pattern. Enter the room, give light greetings, whisper into her ear, and she would reply faster and with longer answers. With each visit, the woman’s health improved.
- On the 3rd day, the color in her eyes and skin started coming back and she spoke for 15 minutes.
- On the 4th day, her hair returned to its luscious tone and shine, and she spoke for 30 minutes.
- On the 5th day, her clothes regained their color and sheen, and she spoke for nearly 1 full hour.
- On the 6th day, the woman was able to move her body again, sitting up to speak with the hermit.
“You are truly a miracle worker,” the husband celebrates. “I hear my wife getting louder and better every day. Please tell me, what do I have to do to solve her issue?”
“Stop trying to solve the situation and let her speak for herself on what she wants,” the hermit replies.
The woman slowly rises out of bed, shuffling out of the couple’s bed, and whispers, “I’m sorry to have worried you.”
“That’s a nice start, but remember what we discussed,” the hermit prompts.
The woman nods to the hermit. “Honey, I’m not happy, about so many things,” she says while starting to cry.
“I’m sorry, what would you like to help you feel better,” the husband invites with open arms.
The woman takes in a deep breath, the color of her skin glowing bright, her hair radiating a red glow, and her clothes shimmering with light between the fabrics.
“We have a wonderful life but I’m not happy with how things are. I’m bored at home doing the same things every day. Our children are wonderful, but they never checked up on me aside from telling you when to clean the house. They are old enough to take care of the house in case one of us is not around. It’s not fair to push them to always support others, but neglect things being done at home.
Also, my ‘friends’ are awful at support. They just told me how great my life is and how I shouldn’t be upset because I don’t appreciate you enough.”
“I’m sorry honey, I…” the man tries to interject.
“No, let me speak this time,” the woman demands, her skin glowing brighter, her hair getting redder, and the brilliance of her clothes flashing a blinding light to stun the hermit and her husband. “The doctor here doesn’t care and the priest thinks everything is possessed by demons. Why did you let them splash water on me while I was in bed? The blanket and sheets were wet and I was lying in them for days. Then you started venting to me about how hard things are when I’m unable to move or speak?”
The woman takes a deep breath, exhales, and calms down. “Look, I love our life. I love our home and family. I love you. But I need you to be attentive to how I’m feeling and help out around the house so it’s not always on me. I know you work a lot, but I still need you at home to teach the kids things outside of helping others around town.”
The man stands stupefied by his wife’s words, his eyes dazzled by her radiant colors. After a few seconds, he finally rushes forward, embracing her in his arms. “I’m sorry I wasn’t more focused on you. Thank you for telling me so I can make sure you never suffer like this again.”
The hermit slowly shuffles toward the door, turning back for a moment to observe the woman’s brilliant glow filling the whole house. She mouths to him, “thank you.” He smiles and gives a gentle nod before leaving the couple to shine together.
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