What does this story mean to you?

Question

HOSPITAL WINDOW

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by.
Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days and weeks passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.

He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.
She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."

Epilogue: There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.

If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.

"Today is a gift, that's why it is called the present."

God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I can not change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference.

Answer 1

that was a great story! too bad everyone couldnt be like the blind man , if so the world would be such a better place!

Answer 2

I agree with the epilogue but not with the message that it is better to lie to make someone happy. If you do then they will face an eventual disappointment, when they discover that you are lying.

Similarly I agree with the desire for serenity, courage and wisdom, but I believe that you should try to cultivate those attributes in yourself, rather than ask for someone to give them to you.

Answer 3

Sounds Like to Me That The Man Has His Hope & Trust In GOD!.......Very Good Choice!

Answer 4

first time i saw this story was in about 1958 in an imported american comic. i've seen it dozens of times since.

when i was five years old i assumed the moral of the story was that the blind man by the wall was so ashamed to admit he was blind that he made up stories about the things he could see.

this still seems to me the most obvious interpretation of this fable.

Answer 5

To me it means that the gift of kindness and love and compassion are the greatest gifts one human can bestow upon another. Thank you for sharing this lovely story! Have a blessed day!

Answer 6

How that was really good. thanks for sharing it. to me this means that some people take for granted some things that they have. the blind couldn't see but he gave great courage to the man beside him. Just to make him happy.

Answer 7

Awwwwww. I read that all and I like that alot. it really makes you think how truly life is and that despite the bad there is alot of goo d in the world.

Answer 8

What a wonderful story!
God bless YOU!
Grandma

Answer 9

its a very good story. it makes u think of everything anyone has ever done for u

Answer 10

where did you find this story? For my friend made a movie about this story.......that he wrote himself....