Suddenly, the lotus began to grow quickly out of the water. Hands like leaves scooped
her up and held her gently. A soft feminine voice called her by name and asked why she cries.
The princess recognized the voice as the one calling her out into the water. “It’s you!” the
princess said in awe and relief that she was not crazy. “You’re the voice that was calling me.
Why did you call me out here, so far away from the shore? Don’t you know my legs aren’t
grown? I can’t swim very well. I thought I was going to faint from exhaustion.”
“I know who you are and about your condition, Princess Lily. But do you know who I am?
Many have forgotten.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t know. I mean no disrespect, but are you a goddess?”
“I am. I am called Padparadscha, after the lotus, for I am the goddess of growth and of
the lotus flowers. Now that we have met, I want to ask you again, why do you cry?”
“I’m sorry, I thought I was following a hallucination. But now I know that it’s you, and
you’re real, so I feel better now.”
“But that was only tonight. I hear you cry many nights when you are alone. Why do you
cry?”
The princess hesitated, but responded. “I wish I was normal. I wish I did not need
escorts to swim across the water because I get too tired from swimming. I want to be free and
independent, not being told that I can’t go far because I can’t swim well.”
“Very well,” Padparadscha replied with a smile. “I can help with that. Go ahead and fall
asleep. As the goddess of growth and lotus flowers, because I have heard your cries, I will use my power
to will bring you joy. In the morning, when you wake, you will be back along the shore and you will see
what I have done. Rest now, Princess.”