130. Fine Dust (Japanese title: Chiisa na hokori wa)
It was around 1883 that Naokichi Takai, who was in his twenties, was sent by Oyasama to save a sick person who lived about twelve kilometers south of the Residence. When he was instructing the man about the cause of illness, the man challenged Naokichi, saying, “I have done nothing wrong in my life.” Naokichi said, “I have heard nothing from Oyasama about such a situation yet. I will go back at once to ask.” He then ran the twelve kilometers back to the Residence to ask Her, and She explained to him in this manner:
“I will tell you. Suppose you have a new house built and you seal up the windows so that no one can enter. The dust will still settle so thick on the floor that you can write a letter in it when you do not sweep it up for, say, ten or twenty days. You know that a mirror will stain. You sweep piles of dust when it is noticeable, but leave fine dust because it is hard to see. When the fine dust becomes embedded into a mirror, it will stain the mirror. Tell this story to him.”
Takai said, “I thank you very much,” and hurried back the twelve kilometers to the sick person. He conveyed Oyasama’s words saying, “I was just told this story.” After he was finished, the patient apologized to him, saying, “I now understand what you say quite well. Sorry, I was mistaken.” From that time the patient began to believe in God and was completely cured of his disease.
Anecdotes of Oyasama, p. 107