Once upon a time, there was a woman who had suffered much loss through her life. Due to wars and famine, each of her family members had died, one by one. Finally, after her last living relative had passed, she could not take it anymore. She packed up and traveled to speak to a wise old man, who was rumored to be a potion master with strong magical powers.
"Please, wise man-- can you make a potion to bring my family back?"
The wise man was silent for a long time.
"I have the materials for the potion- all except one, and you must bring it to me."
The woman nodded eagerly, hopeful.
"You must bring me one grain of rice from a single family who has suffered no loss and lives in complete, unbroken contentment."
The lady was confused, but agrees and begins her journey to find such a family.
For a full year she traveled, speaking to each family she found that appeared to be happy and asking for a grain of rice. She went around the world, leaving no stone unturned, and finally returned to the wise old man.
"I could not bring you what you asked for-- every family I spoke to, even the ones who seemed happiest, had suffered loss or had some discontent within."
The wise man nodded. "You have learned. The potion cannot be made, for no person is without hurt, and everyone has suffered loss.
"They have healed, and so will you."
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