Tag: Friendship

The Fragility of Trust

linda changLeave a comment

“There are two things in this world one should never look at directly: the sun, and the human heart.” —Higashino Keigo

I recently came across this story online, and it deeply moved me. It reminded me that trust and kindness are fragile treasures—once broken, they are hard to mend. I would like to share this wisdom with everyone who reads my blog, especially in times when misunderstandings and suspicion can so easily damage the relationships we cherish most.

Once, there was a newly married couple deeply in love, inseparable and affectionate.
But the wife began to doubt her husband’s loyalty. Her suspicion grew stronger each day until she asked her best friend to “test” her husband’s faithfulness.

To her shock, the two fell in love with each other. What started as a test ended in betrayal.
In the end, the marriage was destroyed—not by infidelity itself, but by mistrust and the reckless act of testing love.

🧬 The Scientist Who Refused to Test

Finsen, the world-renowned Danish medical scientist and Nobel laureate, once chose a young man named Harry as his successor.

Some colleagues worried that Harry might not endure the long, tedious years of research. Finsen’s assistant suggested testing him by having a wealthy friend offer him a high-paying job to see whether Harry would stay or leave.

But Finsen firmly rejected the idea, saying:

“Never stand on a moral high ground to look down on others, and never test human nature.
Harry was born in poverty and naturally desires financial security. If we place him between an easy, well-paid job and the hardship of research but expect him to choose sacrifice, we are demanding him to be a saint. That would be unfair.”

Years later, Harry became one of Denmark’s most respected medical scientists. When he learned that Finsen had refused to test him, he wept and said:

“If my mentor had tested my integrity with a lucrative offer, I would likely have failed.
At that time, my mother was ill and my younger siblings depended on me for their schooling.
If Finsen had set that test for me, there would be no me as I am today.”

🌿 The Truth About Human Nature

Indeed, ordinary people are not saints—everyone has weaknesses. If we constantly test others—our spouse’s loyalty, our friends’ sincerity, or our coworkers’ honesty—we will often end up with disappointment and broken trust.

In the first story, had the wife trusted her husband instead of testing him, the marriage might have survived.

Finsen understood that human nature is fragile. True wisdom lies not in setting traps to measure others’ virtue, but in tolerating uncertainty with compassion.

Testing human nature is like striking a porcelain bowl—it will only reveal its fragility by breaking it.
Trust, on the other hand, is like holding that bowl gently in your hands—preserving its wholeness, beauty, and purpose.

In life, love, and friendship, may we learn to trust with kindness and lead with understanding.
After all, it is not the test that reveals the truth of a heart, but the grace with which we choose not to test it.

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2025/11/06/the-fragility-of-trust/

When a Runner Met a Stray: A Friendship That Crossed Deserts and Hearts

linda changLeave a comment

You would never imagine that an ordinary stray dog from China could become a spiritual icon for people all over the world. Its story was written into a book, translated into 20 languages, and sold globally. Hollywood even bought the film rights, and one day it will be made into a movie. Countless celebrities and business leaders have posed for photos with it, and even the Queen of England once held it in her arms.

So what made this little dog so extraordinary? Everything began with what seemed like a random “accident.”

It was the summer of 2016 in Xinjiang, during a grueling ultra-marathon held once every three years. The main character of the story, British athlete Dion Leonard, was among the participants. Under the scorching sun—temperatures soaring above 40°C—runners had to trek 300 kilometers across desert and Gobi terrain. It was a challenge that tested both physical strength and willpower.

To conserve energy, Dion carried only a little bread and water. After walking all day, he finally stopped to rest for the night. That’s when a starving stray dog approached him, wagging its tail with all its might. Moved by the little dog’s cuteness, Dion shared some of his precious food.

He didn’t know it then, but that small act of kindness tied their destinies together. From the next day onward, the dog refused to leave his side. That’s when Dion realized it had no owner. Since the race was long and lonely, he welcomed this unexpected companion.

Day after day, the dog kept up with Dion. Whenever exhaustion hit him, just looking at the panting, tail-wagging little dog filled him with strength again. “If this tiny creature has the endurance to keep going, then so must I,” Dion thought. He named the dog Gobi, after the desert where they met. They shared food by day and huddled together by night. Through hardship, man and dog forged a bond of deep friendship.

Can you imagine—a stray dog becoming a global hero, its story turned into a bestselling book and a movie? That’s exactly what happened.

But during the race, Gobi could only run 150 kilometers before collapsing from exhaustion in the scorching desert. The organizers rescued and treated the little dog, who then waited faithfully at the finish line each day for Dion to return. Without Gobi, Dion felt alone again—but now he had something to fight for. His longing to see his companion pushed him to finish the final 150 kilometers in just three days, earning him a silver medal—the best result of his career. But instead of basking in the honor, his first joy was reuniting with Gobi.

The race organizers were so moved by their bond that they even awarded Gobi her own silver medal. Dion, who had once lost a beloved dog years earlier, felt this meeting was destiny. He resolved to adopt Gobi and bring her home to the UK.

From a stray with no future, Gobi suddenly became a beloved star dog, cherished by a marathon champion. Dion spared a lot of effort and about several thousand dollars to secure the adoption, leaving Gobi in a friend’s care in Xinjiang while he flew back to the UK to handle the paperwork. But just when everything was ready and Dion was eagerly awaiting Gobi’s arrival, disaster struck—Gobi went missing.

Panicked, Dion flew back to China and printed thousands of flyers to search for his companion. By then, their story had already gone viral. Media outlets reported it widely, and Gobi became a symbol of hope, inspiring people everywhere. When word spread that the famous little dog was lost, locals poured into the streets to help search, forming teams day and night, while countless netizens spread the news online.

Dion chased down every lead, refusing to give up. Finally, following a clue that others thought worthless, he found Gobi—injured and weary, but alive. The little dog had clearly suffered, but this time, Dion promised, she would never be alone again.

This reunion made Gobi even more famous. After full medical care and recovery, Dion finally brought her home to Scotland.

To honor their extraordinary bond, Dion turned from athlete to author, writing Finding Gobi. The book became an international sensation, translated into 20 languages and sold worldwide. Hollywood bought the rights to make it into a film. Together, Dion and Gobi traveled the globe, giving talks, meeting celebrities, and even winning the “Most Inspiring Animal Award.” Gobi’s journey reached its peak when the Queen of England herself held her in her arms.

What began with a stray dog’s trust and loyalty turned into a man’s promise and responsibility—together creating a heartwarming story that touched the whole world. Gobi found a loving home, Dion discovered renewed strength and joy, and both became better versions of themselves.

Link: https://peacelilysite.com/2025/09/11/when-a-runner-met-a-stray-a-friendship-that-crossed-deserts-and-hearts/