Folkore on True Beauty

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within. - Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Isn't this so true? Yet many people choose to see beauty only when the sun is out and shut their eyes in darkness. People are generally more forgiving towards (physically) beautiful women who do stupid things (enough said about Paris Hilton and the likes) but for ordinary-looking women, it sometimes takes a lifetime of effort before people can see the beauty that radiates from within them.

I am reminded of a folklore set in China. A farmer was wed to a girl, not of his choice. The promise of marriage was made between the two families when the farmer and the girl were very young children. Alas, the girl did not grow up to be a beauty and the farmer detested his wife, cursing at having to set his eyes on her ugly face everyday. He was mean to her and treated her as his slave. She was the fulfilling and dutiful wife, patient and understanding, yet with his eyes, the husband could not see this beauty.

One day, the farmer came down with an illness that eventually blinded him. Not being able to work, his wife took on his duties but instead of gratitude, his temper became more foul. Shortly after, a doctor came to the farmer with news that someone had died and donated his eyes to the farmer. The farmer did not ask any more questions but rushed to the hospital to have the transplant done.

For days thereafter, the farmer's wife took good care of him but the farmer only berraged her for being more clumsy than usual. When at least the bandages were taken off and the farmer could see, he was absolutely overjoyed. Then his eyes cast on his wife and he was taken aback. "What happened to your eyes?" he asked. His wife lowered her head and said nothing. It was at that moment that the farmer suddenly realised how beautiful she was. All that beauty inside had shone through for him.