13
[ Stories of Forgiveness ]
Over time, Fujita donated $1,000 to the local library to purchase
children’s books about Japanese culture. He hoped that building
an understanding of the two countries’ differences would prevent
future wars.
His family’s samurai sword is still on display in the community’s
library. In later visits to the town, Fujita planted trees in the spot
where he had dropped the bombs. He died from lung cancer
in 1997, knowing that he had been not only forgiven, but also
embraced by the small town he had once harmed.
A friend has just apologized to you for doing something that
wasn’t nice. Did you accept that apology? If so, then you are
forgiving. Being forgiving means that you can stop feeling anger
toward someone and stop blaming that person for having done
something wrong to you. Forgiving someone is very difficult,
but if you can accept someone’s apology, then you have taken
the first step toward forgiveness.
Are You Forgiving?
