1,000 Cranes = 1 wish

I loved the story of Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes as a child.

For those who don’t know it, it is the devastating and heartbreaking tale of Sadako Sasaki, who was just two years old when the atomic bomb was dropped near her home in Hiroshima, Japan.  At 12 years old, she was diagnosed with leukaemia, and given a year to live. But an ancient Japanese story, narrated to her by her best friend Chizuko, gives her hope: A promise that whoever should fold 1,000 origami paper cranes would be granted one wish by a crane.

Sadly, Sadako never reached her goal, dying within eight months of diagnosis, with still more than 300 cranes still to fold; but the simplicity and beauty of her story has become a symbol for hope for thousands all over the world.

Today, I found New Zealand blogger and Mum, Maddie, from Lil Magoolie, who has a mission on her hands – to make 2,000 origami cranes for two healing wishes: one for a shaken Christchurch, and one for a devastated Japan.

I’ve been watching as our world is turned upside down, my heart breaking for our brothers and sisters across the sea. I believe in the childlike magic of wishes, and in the power of prayers for healing and restoration. And I can make paper cranes.

So today, I’m folding cranes to contribute towards Maddie’s grand total. The kids have been helping by drawing all kinds of things this morning, and I'm folding up their stories and scribbles (for lack of ornate origami paper).

 Will you help too?

Nat

Ps. Don’t know how to make a crane? You’ll find a link to an origami tutorial here.

Please send your handmade cranes to:

1000 Cranes / One wish
c/o 3C Design
14 Marion Street
Hoon Hay  Christchurch  8025
New Zealand