Cry Heart, But Never Break

Four children live with their grandmother. One night, a black-cloaked stranger arrives at the door: it is Death. The children know that he has come for their beloved grandmother, who lies in her bed upstairs, breathing her final few raspy breaths. Despite his sinister appearance, Death is a sensitive soul with a heart that feels things strongly. Keen to avoid frightening the children, he leaves his scythe outside. The children, all different, perceive his arrival in various ways: with denial, defiance and sorrow. Coming up with a plan to delay the inevitable, the children keep Death up all night by feeding him strong coffee, but eventually he must carry out what he has come to do. The grandchildren listen intently as he tells them the story of two brothers, Grief and Sorrow, whose lives become complete when they meet two sisters, Joy and Delight. The tale beautifully describes the interplay between the contrasting emotions of life, and how without death, life would not have worth. The time has come, and the children bravely accept the fate of their grandmother. Death goes to her and gently orders her soul to fly. When the children go upstairs to see her, she has died. Her soul has departed through the open window and the curtains are billowing in the breeze. Death quietly says, “Cry, Heart, but never break. Let your grief and sadness help begin new life.”
From that moment, the children understand the significance of the contrast between happiness and sadness and they take comfort from Death’s words and the resilience of their own grieving hearts. Each time they stand at an open window and feel a breeze on their faces, their grandmother is with them again.