My mother used to ask me what the most important part of the body is. Through the years I would guess at what I thought was the correct answer.

 

When I was younger, I thought sound was very important to us as humans, so I said, "My ears, Mommy."

 

She said, "No. Many people are deaf. But you keep thinking about it and I will ask you again soon."

 

Several years passed before she asked me again. Since making my first attempt, I had contemplated¹（沉思，注视） the correct answer.

 

So this time I told her, "Mommy, sight is very important to everybody, so it must be our eyes."

 

She looked at me and told me, "You are learning² fast, but the answer is not correct because there are many people who are blind."

 

Over the years, Mother asked me a couple more times and always her answer was, "No, but you are getting smarter every year, my child."

 

Then last year, my Grandpa died. Everybody was hurt. Everybody was crying. My Mom looked at me when it was our turn to say our final good-bye to Grandpa. She asked me, "Do you know the most important body part yet, my dear?"

 

I was shocked when she asked me this now. I always thought this was a game between her and me. She saw the confusion³ on my face and told me, "This question is very important. It shows that you have really lived your life." I saw her eyes well up with tears. She said, "My dear, the most important body part is your shoulder."

 

I asked, "Is it because it holds up your head?"

 

She replied, "No, it is because it can hold the head of a friend or loved one when they cry. Everybody needs a shoulder to cry on sometimes in life, my dear. I only hope that you have enough love and friends that you will have a shoulder to cry on when you need it."

 

Then and there I knew the most important body part is not a selfish⁴ one. It is sympathetic⁵ to the pain of others.

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