A bowl of noodles...

The following story is a true story. We gave this story the name \"One Bowl of Soup Noodles\".

This story happened 15 years ago, on December 31, 1985, which was New Year's Eve. At the noodle shop \" Hokkai \" on Sapporo Street.

Eating soba noodles on New Year's Eve is a Japanese tradition. For this reason, noodle shops sell well on New Year's Eve. This \"Hokkai Shop\" is also the same.

On this day, the store was crowded with people almost all day. Until 10:00 p.m., the crowd began to decrease. Usually on This road is crowded until early morning.

But today everyone must rush home to welcome the New Year. Therefore, this street closed the shop earlier than usual. The owner of Hokkai is an honest person, and the owner is a friendly and kind person.

On the night of New Year's Eve When the last customer leaves while the boss is gone, the shop will be closed. The shop door opened softly, and a woman brought in two young boys. One person about 6 years old and another person about 10 years old entered the store.

Both boys wore brand new sports clothes as well. The woman wore an old, worn-out plaid overcoat.

\"Please sit,\" the boss called out in greeting.

The woman spoke timidly.

\"Can I please have a bowl of water noodles?\" The two boys behind them exchanged uneasy glances.

\"Yes, yes, why not? Please sit down first\"

Boss Nie led them to sit at table number two against the wall. and shouted to the kitchen,

\"A bowl of noodle soup\"

A bowl of noodles only has one noodle. The boss thought about it and put in the noodles. Add another half cube. Boil noodles and get a huge bowl. Neither Boss Nie nor the three mothers had any knowledge. Three mothers and children sat around a bowl of noodles, eating deliciously. Eat while talking

\"Please eat,\" said the older son.

\"Mom, please eat, please\" the younger child said and grabbed some noodles for mom to eat. Soon he ate the entire bowl of noodles. Paid one hundred and fifty yen. And the three of them praised him.

\"Thank you very much (Yes). The noodles are very delicious (Yes).\" With a slight bow, he said goodbye.

\"Thank you very much (Yes). Happy New Year (Yes).\" Both the boss and boss Nie said thank you.

Working day after day, busy from morning to evening. And then another year passed and December 31st came around again. On New Year's Eve, the noodle shop "Hokkai" still had good sales and seemed to sell better than last year. The two grandparents are still busy doing business.

And then the chaotic day ended at more than 10:00 p.m. while the boss was about to close the shop. The shop door was gently pushed open, and entering was a middle-aged woman and two young boys. Seeing the old and outdated overcoat, Boss Nie remembered that he was the last customer on New Year's Eve last year.

\"Can I have a bowl of noodles, please?\"

\"Yes, yes, please sit comfortably.\" The boss led them to the same place they sat last year, table number two, shouting while saying,

\"One bowl of noodles,\" the boss accepted. Light the stove that had just been extinguished.

\"Yes, one bowl of noodles.\" Boss Nie secretly said into the boss's ear, \"Old man, can't you boil three bowls of noodles for them?\"

\"No, if you do that it will make them embarrassed and uncomfortable, you know?\"

The husband replied and threw the other half of the noodles into the pot of boiling water. He walked over and stood next to his wife and smiled. The wife said,

\"I saw you so naive and dull. I didn't realize that your heart was good too.\"

The husband went to scoop up a large bowl of noodles that had an inviting aroma and had the wife give it to the three mothers and children. The three mothers and children sat around the bowl of noodles. Eat while talking. The chatter of the three mothers and children reached the ears of the grandparents.

\"It smells so good...excellent...really delicious\"

\"This year you can eat Hokkai noodles. It's not bad at all\"

\"If next year I can come and eat again, that would be great.\"

After eating, he paid one hundred and fifty yen. Then the three mothers and children walked out of the Hokkai shop.

\"Thank you (Yes). Happy New Year (Yes).\" Looking behind the three mothers and children until they disappeared.

The two grandparents brought up the story of the three mothers and children over and over for a while. On New Year's Eve of the past three years Hokkai's business is very good. The two grandparents were so busy that they didn't have time to talk, but after 9:00 p.m. The grandparents began to feel anxious.

At 10:00 p.m., the employees in the store received their red envelopes and went their separate ways.

When everyone had gone, the two shopkeepers took the price tags for the noodles in the shop that said "200 yen per bowl of noodles" that were hanging on the wall and turned them over. Then help each other rewrite it: \"A hundred and fifty yen per bowl of noodles\"

30 minutes ago the boss took out the "Already reserved" sign and placed it on table number two. It's as if the intention is to wait for guests who have already left the store to come.

10:30 p.m. Three mothers and children finally appeared. The older brother wore the uniform of a public high school. The younger brother wore the jacket his older brother wore last year that looked baggy and ill-fitting. Both children have grown up a lot.

As for the mother, she still wore the same old, outdated, faded plaid coat.

\"Welcome, please\" Boss Nie greeted graciously.

Look at Boss Nie's smiling face and welcoming expression. causing the mother to utter words in confusion,

\"Would you mind helping me make two bowls of noodle soup?\"

\"Yes, please sit this way.\" The boss led mother and son to sit at table number two. Then quickly remove the "Already reserved" sign like nothing happened. and shouted to the kitchen,

\"Two bowls of noodles\"

\"Yes, two bowls of noodles can be had now,\" the boss replied. while tossing three noodles into the pot of water

Three mothers and children eat and talk. They looked like they were very happy.

A husband and wife standing behind a table making noodles realized the happiness they were experiencing. In my heart, I also rejoiced.

\"Dear child, today I have to thank you very much.\"

\"thank you ?\"

\"Why?\"

\"The matter is like this. It is the father of a child who died in an accident and injured eight others. And the insurance company is not responsible for that part. Over the years, this has caused us to pay 50,000 yen a month."

\"Eh, we already know about this,\" the elder replied.

As for Boss Nie, he could only listen quietly behind the cooking table.

\"Originally we had to pay off the debt until next year, March. But now we have paid off all the debt\"

\"Really, Mom?\"

\"True, this is because your older brother works hard to deliver newspapers. Personally, the child helps his mother buy food and cook. It allows mother to go to work fully. The company has therefore given a diligence allowance along with other special bonuses, making it possible to pay the remaining amount today\"

\"Wow, Mom, Sis, this is wonderful. But from now on, please let me help you cook.”

\"I will continue delivering the newspapers, little brother. We have to join together to fight.\"

\"Thank you both children very much. I really appreciate it. \"

\"Mom, my younger sibling and I have a secret to tell you as well. It was one Sunday in November at my school. Parents have been informed to visit students in the classroom on parent meeting day. Her teacher also attached another letter saying: Your essay has been selected to represent Hokkaido.

to compete in essay competitions across the country This is what I heard from my friends. So on that day, I went to be the mother's representative. Go join in the day to meet the parents of your younger siblings\"

\"Is it true? And later\"

\"The topic that the teacher gave for the essay was My wish\" Nong took the story of a bowl of noodles and wrote an essay. And I also read it in front of everyone."

\"The essay is written...after father had a car accident. has left us with many debts in order to pay off debt Mother has to work late at night. Day and night every day Even the matter of me having to deliver newspapers. I still took it to write...\"

\"There is more. Nong also wrote that on the night of December 31, the three of us, mother and son, gathered together to eat soup noodles. Very delicious…Three people ate just one bowl of noodles. The owner's grandparents also thanked us. And also wished us a happy new year. Those voices seemed to give me strength to continue living.

Try to get rid of all your father's debts as quickly as possible…\"

\"For this reason, he has decided that when he grows up, he will open a noodle shop. And must be the owner of the number one noodle shop in Japan. And I will also give encouragement to all customers...may you be happy...thank you...\"

The two grandparents of the noodle shop who were listening behind the noodle making table suddenly disappeared.

They didn't disappear at all, just kneeling together under the table. In each hand, hold one end of a towel. Relentlessly trying to dry up the tears that flowed like a broken dam.

\"When the younger sibling finished reading the essay The teacher said \"Today my brother has come to represent my mother. Therefore, please invite my brother to come up and say something."

\"Is it true? So what does the child do?\"

\"Well, it was too sudden. At first I didn't know what to say. So I say...thank you to everyone who took such good care of my little brother. My younger sister has to go to the market to buy food and come back to cook food every day. Therefore, when all friends have activities in the evening, it is usually Participate in various activities

Not because I had to hurry home. When this happens, it will cause everyone quite a stir\"

\"Just now, when I heard my younger brother read an essay about a bowl of noodles, I feel very embarrassed. But when I saw my younger sister stretching out her chest and reading an essay about noodles, A bowl of water with a loud sound until the end To feel the feeling of shame when For a moment, you could truly call it embarrassment \"

\"Many years ago Mother's courage to order a bowl of noodles to eat Those three people, my younger sibling and I will never forget. My sister and I must be diligent. and take good care of mother And I would like to ask all of my younger siblings to help take care of me.\"

The three mothers and daughters held hands in silence, patted each other's shoulders, ate the noodles more happily than every year, paid 300 yen, said thank you, bowed in respect and walked out of the shop.

Looking behind the three mothers and children. The shop owner then felt that this year had really passed and said,

\"Thank you (Yes). Happy New Year (Yes).\"

And then another year has passed.

At 9:00 p.m., Hokkai placed a "reserved table" sign on table number two and waited. The visit of three mothers and children as usual.

But that year, the mother and son trio didn't show up at the store at all.

Year two, year three, table number two is still vacant as before.

The mother and daughter never came to Hokkai again. Hokkai's business is very good.

It's called a good day and a good night. The inside of the shop has been newly decorated.

The tables and chairs were also replaced. There will only be table number two, which is kept as it is.

\"What is this all about?\" Many customers asked in confusion.

Boss Nie then told the customer about a bowl of noodles.

That old table was placed in the middle of the shop as if to encourage oneself. And it's not certain that one day these three customers might come back again. They hope to use that old table to welcome his three customers.

Table number two was changed to a name. \"The table of happiness\" the customers kept talking about.

There are many students who want to see this table to the point that they drive from far away to eat noodles and specifically want to sit at this table.

Many more years have passed since December 31st.

It was New Year's Eve after the store closed. Shop owner in the area nearby Hokkai shop They often come together to celebrate by eating noodles at Hokkai restaurant. Eat while waiting for the ringing of the final New Year's Eve bell. Then everyone went to the temple to worship together. It's been a tradition for 5-6 years.

That's enough today. It's already 9:30 p.m. The fish shop owner arrived first and brought sashimi.

After that, people kept coming every now and then, some bringing alcohol. Some brought food and snacks.

Normally there would be a gathering of about 30-40 people, all of whom were very lively.

Everyone who came knew the legend about table number two.

Everyone tried not to mention it, but in their hearts they were thinking. Today, that "reserved table" didn't have the person they were waiting to sit at. It would probably be empty to bid farewell to the old year again.

Some of them drank alcohol. Some ate noodles, some dipped in and out.

When preparing rice and snacks They all ate and talked. Let's talk about trade. Talk about this and that. Even the tides of the sea During this period, which house has a new born child? Bring it to talk in the conversation circle, talk about every topic until it's like they're one family.

Time passed until 10:30 p.m. Suddenly, the shop door was gently pushed open.

Everyone in the shop stopped talking. Every pair of eyes looked towards the store door.

Two young men stood tall in business suits. Drap the overcoat over your arm.

When he saw who everyone was, he felt that the atmosphere began to relax. and began to chat with each other lively Just as Boss Nie was about to say,

\"I'm sorry, all seats are full\" to reject uninvited customers.

A woman wearing a kimono walked in and stood between the two young men.

Everyone in the store almost stopped breathing when they heard that young lady say.

\"Er…please…can you help me make three bowls of noodles?\"

As soon as Boss Nie heard this, his expression immediately changed. More than ten years have passed.

Image of three mothers and children in their memories with a picture of three mothers and children in front She tried to juxtapose the two images.

The boss stood stunned at the noodle making table. Pointing his finger at the three mothers and children, \"You guys .. you guys\" was all he could say. Every word stuck in my throat.

One of the two young men saw Boss Nie's helpless expression and spoke to him. The boss said:

\"The three of us, mother and daughter, fourteen years ago on New Year's Eve, welcomed the New Year. How about ordering a bowl of noodles for three people to eat? And we were encouraged by that bowl of noodles. We have been able to stand firm to this day\"

\"After that, the family immigrated to live with my grandmother in Shiga District. This year I passed the exam to become a doctor. I am now a pediatric intern at Kyoto Hospital. Next year in April, I will be transferred to Sapporo Central Hospital."

\"Today, we stopped by the hospital to get to know each other and take care of ourselves. Then I went to pay respects to my father's grave.

And the younger brother who once dreamed of owning a noodle shop Currently working in Kyoto Bank. One excellent idea was proposed.

This year on New Year's Eve The three of us, mother and daughter, will come to pay our respects to the owner of a Hokkai noodle shop in Sapporo. And eat three bowls of Hokkai noodle soup."

Two grandparents listened while listening. He nodded his head with tears in his eyes.

The owner of the vegetable shop was sitting in front of the door. Try to use your full strength to swallow the bites of noodles that are in your mouth.

Then stood up and said \"Oh...the boss... What's going on? We've been preparing for ten years in anticipation of this day. That "reservation table" that the bosses reserve for customers who will come after ten o'clock on New Year's Eve. Hurry and welcome them. Hurry! \"

Boss Nie finally regained consciousness. He patted the vegetable shop owner's shoulder and said,

\"Welcome...please sit inside...this is old man...three bowls of noodles, two tables\"

The boss, who was standing there stunned, quickly wiped away his tears and said,

\"Yes..three bowls of noodle soup\"

If we really look at it. The things that the two noodle shop bosses gave were not very valuable at all. It was just a few noodles. Just a few heartfelt and encouraging words. Including the blessing that \"Thank you (Yes). Happy New Year (Yes).\" That's all.

But it allows those who are forced to stay in the situation of the harsh reality. If you can drive, you can come back to life again.

This story teaches us that --- don't try to overlook yourself.

We ourselves can influence the environment to be pleasant. Maybe it's just a matter of sincere concern. Only a little of you can bring unlimited bright light into the world

For this reason our fervent hopes and ambitions …

All friends...

Don't be selfish or regret it. Hopefully from now on

We will be able to give our hearts of love and kindness that we have stored up. He kept it in his heart for a long time and gave it to others willingly. A spark of light for the world….

Even if it's just a glimmer of light

But for the cold winter nights It truly was a spark of warmth and bright light.

Hey...have you felt tired after reading this article?

Take care of your eyesight. Roll your left eye back and forth. When finished, turn around and roll your right eye.

After that, he rolled both eyes at the same time.

If you do this and your eyeball pops out of the socket, then you don't need to come see me. Go see a doctor...

This story happened in Japan. It has impressed countless Japanese people. Therefore, people say that

\"Who has read the story? There is no one who will not shed a tear."

Although this statement is somewhat exaggerated.

But there are many people who have already read this story. I was truly moved to the point of tears falling, and those tears falling. They weren't tears of sadness.

But it was tears shed that impressed upon us sincere concern. and the generous kindness given to fellow human beings....