Sadako Sasaki

It all started off as one Japanese girl was enjoying her early years of childhood, until an atomic bomb was dropped 1.7km away from her home town. This affected Sadako and had a fatal impact. Sadako had many qualities that would shine through in the actions she made. She never gave up and had a dream to fold 1,000 paper cranes. One girl, one dream, one wish. This is the story, of Sadako Sasaki.

Sadako Sasaki was only two years old when an atomic bomb hit her hometown during a war against the United States. Sadako lived in Hiroshima her whole life and was described to be a very positive and an active child. When Sadako was ten years of age, she was competing in a running race and then suddenly collapsed. She was rushed to hospital and was then found to have leukemia. It was unfortunate that Sadako had leukemia and especially to someone like her, who had such a great view on life.

While in hospital suffering from leukemia, her friend told her “Do you remember the story that if you fold 1000 paper cranes the gods will grant a wish and make it come true?" Sadako’s friend folded her a paper crane and placed it on her lap and said “Here’s your first one.” Sadako continued to fold paper cranes until she would reach her goal, 1,000 paper cranes. She knew it wouldn’t be easy, but a good challenge. Sadly, her life came to an end on the 25th of October in 1955. Sadako only managed to fold 644 paper cranes, so her class mates decided to fold the remaining 365 to grant her wish. Sadako changed the world by helping everyone to recognise that each day shouldn’t be taken for granted and that challenges are good and that nothing is impossible. Since that day, people from all over the world have been folding cranes as a symbol of peace.

When we look at Jesus and compare him to Sadako Sasaki, they were both really great people who stood out from the crowd and made a difference in our world as we live in it today. Look at how Sadako never gave up as she easily could have just not tried to reach her goal and how Jesus never gave up when he was dying. Jesus would have to have been brave through his last days on Earth, just like Sadako. These two people are great role models we should look up to, and dream to be just like them.

Sadako Sasaki was only a young girl when she went through bumps in her life. She never gave up, persevered and had a positive outlook on life. Whenever you are having a tough day, we should think how it will feel to be Sadako, knowing that you were going to die sooner or later. Sadako left an incredible footprint in our world and should treasure her in our hearts.