Nov 6th, 2026 Friday Sunny
I recently finished reading a novel, “the miracles of the Namiya general store”.
It told of three thieves who, seemingly accidentally, chose to enter and take shelter in what used to be the Namiya general store, that turned out to be a time travel portal. The owner of the store used to give free, well-thought-out advices to anyone who would write a letter addressed to “Mr. Namiya” asking a question, no matter how trivial. Due to the magic of time warp, the minor burglars (this was their first crime, and truthfully it was so minor that they might not even serve jail time even if caught) received some of these inquiries, which they felt compelled to respond to on behalf of the actual addressee. Through these miraculous correspondence, they themselves were transformed, and found value in their life again.
The stories were touching, each in its own way. They showcased the struggles that commoners – not necessarily heroes or heroines – face in different stages of the life journey, and are very relatable. “The miracles” in the title definitely carry several references, but one stood out – the miraculous experience of the trio changed their paths from that night.
Keigo Higashino, one of the greatest novelists in Japanese literature, made it all so believable. Flipping over the last page, I could not help but wondering why. How exactly did it work out, so beautifully?
The first component of this miracle, is that the queries “sent” (via a mailbox) do not have a straightforward answer. To some extent, there is no right versus wrong, because each choice opens a new track that unfolds the story differently, yet there is – there cannot be – an objective judgment which one is “better”. Because of that, despite their relative young ages compared to the original Mr. Namiya, the pickpockets’ input could never be said to be “incorrect” or “useless”. It is rather like an outsider perspective to someone’s inner world, providing clarity and fresh ways to approach the problem. Sometimes, intentionally or not, their phrases served to push the questioner into realizing his/her true desire and discovering the solution him/herself. Of course, their efforts in coming up with something meaningful to say were generally appreciated.
The second ingredient, is the all-too-often-overlooked fact that everyone needs mentoring and coaching, including (or maybe especially?) adults, because life is complicated, and no one-size-fits-all exists. As children, instructions and tips come from everywhere, mostly from people we know care about us. However, most of these center on education, career, and sometimes relationship (usually not well-received). Somehow, once we cross the threshold of adulthood (say, out of college), we seem to be expected to figure it all out on our own. Even well-intentioned friends would refrain from giving their opinions for the fear of “being too nosy”. Mr. Namiya opened his door (figuratively) and heart to listen, and shared unbiased thoughts (in most situations, he is not a stakeholder of the consultee, and has nothing to gain or lose regardless of the outcome). That alone is tremendously meaningful. When the triads took on that role, their actions suddenly became meaningful too.
Finally, I believe that being able to apply the lessons we have learned in our own past to guide another human being validates our existence. Each of us has gone through an exclusive history on this planet. Nevertheless, the modern industrialized society keeps reinforcing an impression that I am replaceable, interchangeable, and equivalent, just as everybody else. When we draw on what has made us unique, we remind ourselves that every moment that we have breathed, has a meaning.
Because life itself, is a miracle, isn’t it?