Sakura
Christina Rombola (Longwood High School)
Ever since I was twelve years old I was mesmerized by music. When I was in seventh grade, I started
attending voice lessons. My teacher’s name was Mrs. Beckers. She was a six foot tall German opera singer
with stocky shoulders, a soft smile and an angelic soprano voice. We typically studied music by classical
composers and explored literature in the romantic languages. However last May, Mrs. Beckers introduced
me to something radically different than I was accustomed to. She handed me a copy of a Japanese
folksong titled “Sakura.” Surprisingly, my native-born German teacher properly taught me the
pronunciation and meaning of every word. Together we sang the folksong even though I was unaware of
the symbolism it entailed.

Mrs. Beckers was incredibly inspired by this artistic representation of eastern culture. It was strange to
see a German woman be so knowledgeable of and fascinated by a culture completely opposite of her own.

She explained that the title of the song, “Sakura”, meant cherry blossom in Japanese. The song was about
the celebration of blooming Japanese cherry blossoms. She continued to tell me that the Japanese people
believe the flower is a symbol of the transience of life because the delicate petals fall only days after they
bloom. Japanese people are not afraid of death. Instead, they value life and live every day by the morals
they were raised upon. The cherry blossom is also a symbol of the samurai. The samurai were a group of
fierce warriors who lived by the Bushido code. This code of conduct encompassed the importance of duty
and loyalty, justice and morality, sincerity, courtesy, compassion, heroic courage and honor. They also lived
by the value of gaman, or the belief in forbearance and self-sacrifice. Although they may not have wanted
to go to battle, they did because they were committed to serving their people. Even though the samurai
class diminished in Japan, the people still live by a similar conduct. As time passed, I realized why Mrs.

Beckers was so enthralled by Japanese culture. It was because she encompassed everything that the cherry
blossom, gaman and the Bushido Code stood for.

After four years of study with Mrs. Becker, she informed me that she was diagnosed with cancer. I
was devastated that my longtime friend was struck by a disorder that crippled her by the minute. However,
when she relayed the news, she said it with a smile and told me not to worry. She explained she was not
afraid of the road ahead of her and that our lessons were to continue as usual. Although I was distraught,
Mrs. Beckers seemed completely comfortable with her tragic fate. I did not understand why this terrible
thing happened to such a wonderful person. She had compassion for every person that crossed her path, and
went out of her way to help others. Mrs. Beckers believed in her students’ capabilities and pushed them to
achieve their highest dreams. She spoke with a sincere voice, and was never disloyal to anybody. Mrs.

Beckers epitomized the Bushido Code. She loved her life, her students and music so much, that she was
okay with the startling news. This woman was not afraid of death, but mesmerized by life. She enjoyed her
life so much that her sickness was inconsequential. Mrs. Beckers continued to teach music until she could
no longer play the piano. Although she was weak and feeble, Mrs. Becker believed in gaman and put her
suffering aside to teach young people beautiful music.

The cherry blossom symbolizes the evanescent nature of life. Japanese people never walk by a cherry
blossom tree without stopping because they know that the flowers may be gone the next day. Both Mrs.

Beckers and the Japanese people believe in valuing everything, even if it only exists momentarily. Life, like
the cherry blossom, is not eternal. Every individual follows the course of life until their inevitable fall.

Therefore, we must pass time with something that we love unconditionally. Mrs. Beckers found her passion
of teaching music. However, like Mrs. Beckers, the Japanese believe more in the whole rather than the
individual. Although it is important to live life to personal standards, it is also important to have a positive
effect on surrounding others. I admire Mrs. Beckers for her love of life, her altruistic nature and her
remarkable impact on young people. Although my friend was a product of the western world, she conveyed
everything Japanese culture stood for.

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The Precious Crane
Alessandra Faith Ansbach (Lynbrook High School)
In the year it seemed a life would come crashing to an end, I was acquainted with the ancient Japanese
art of origami. My sister, Nina, was in the hospital, suffering from seizures that medicine wasn’t adequately
controlling. New medicines were being tried. Mom had to be with her through this painful process. I was at
home, 29.3 miles away yearning for both of them. I remember being so scared it was all I could do to show
that I was strong for my Dad and Nana.

Knowing that I would either burst into screams or sobs I had to find something to ease my mind. I
took out an old origami book my mom had presented to me as a surprise one day. I never really considered
origami, because I couldn’t fold the special papers correctly at the time. I began to separate all the paper
that came inside the book; along with the paper mom had bought me. My bed was covered in different size
papers. The papers surrounded me on my bed, some folded and some not. I cautiously chose one of the
multicolored sheets and began to fold. I ended up with a very uneven crane. I looked down at it, disgusted
and threw it at the door. I folded again and again until finally I came up with a beautiful bird perched in my
hands. Delighted with what I had accomplished, I started to create more and more until I had a whole chain
of cranes. I looked through the rest of the book and made almost all of the designs that were depicted. I was
delighted with my work.

My father appeared then and told me it was time to visit my sister and mom. I gathered up all of my
creations and put them in a bag. When we arrived at my sister’s room I walked slowly inside, afraid of what
I would see. My sister was sitting up in bed watching television and mom was sitting in the chair eating
lunch. My mom burst into tears when she spotted me. I ran over and gave her a huge hug. I said not to cry
and that I had presents. I emptied the entire contents of my sack onto Nina’s bed. Each of them picked up a
crane and asked what it was. I demonstrated by picking one up and teaching them how to move its wings.

Mom could barely form words she was so astonished. She asked me if I had made them all and I
could only nod. She hugged me and said that I was amazing. All of a sudden the waterfalls broke free and I
hid my face in her shirt. “Please mommy, come home tonight.”
“I would if I could, Sweetheart; but I have to stay here and make sure Nina’s okay. I promise you, I
will sleep with a crane next to me every night and think of you every day.” As I pulled away from her
embrace I saw there were tears streaking her face too. I gave her a final squeeze and gave my sister one too.

Then, dad took my hand and led me out of the room. I stole a final glance back and saw Nina admiring the
baby blue crane I had made especially for her. I left the hospital with a smile on my face knowing I had
made her happy.

A month later my sister came home happy and lively again. The first thing she said when she walked
in the room was “Look! I still have my crane!” She opened her hand and handed me the precious blue
crane. It was a little worn from all the times she had made it fly. She also handed me a bunch of cards from
the kids at the hospital thanking me for the gifts of cranes and animals.

The crane is truly a sacred bird in Japan and in my eyes. The Japanese believe by folding a thousand
cranes a wish will be granted.

My wish came true without folding a thousand. Sharing my love of origami with my sister and the
hospitalized children made many wishes come true, for a lot of those children went home shortly after
receiving the crane.

I continue to this day in sharing my love of origami with the people around me. I give the gift of a
crane and the tale of its legend knowing that wishes do come true.

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