Story: Daughter-in-law dies in childbirth — Eight men couldn’t lift the coffin until the mother-in-law begged to have it opened.
The sad sound of funeral trumpets mingled with the rain pounding on the old tin roof. In the center of the courtyard, a golden coffin rested on two wooden chairs. Around it, those present remained silent, paying tribute to Elena, the young daughter-in-law who had lost her life after a premature birth.
She was barely 25 years old, and ever since she arrived in the family, she had treated her in-laws like her own parents. Her mother-in-law, Doña Helena, considered her a blessing. But the joy lasted little more than a year.
An unexpected tragedy
That night, Elena suffered severe abdominal pain. She cried while holding her stomach. She was rushed to the hospital, but it was too late. The baby didn’t have time to cry, and she never woke up. Her death plunged the family into profound sadness. Don Luis, her husband, remained motionless, looking at the portrait of Elena above the coffin, where she still smiled tenderly.
The coffin that no one could move
When the time came to carry her away, eight young men tried to lift the coffin… but they couldn’t. Despite their efforts, the coffin didn’t move. It seemed glued to the ground. An old man murmured, “
She must still be sad. She can’t leave.”
Then a shaman present at the scene spoke calmly:
“Open the coffin. She still has something to say.”
Tears after death
When the lid was removed, everyone froze. Two tears trickled down Elena’s face. Her half-open eyes and wet eyelashes revealed fresh tears. Doña Helena fell to her knees, took her hand, and begged:
—Elena… don’t cry anymore… If you have anything left to say, tell us, daughter…
A deep silence invaded the place.
The confession that broke the soul
Suddenly, a sob broke the silence. Luis, the husband, fell to his knees, covering his face. Doña Helena asked him if he had heard anything. Luis looked up, his eyes red from crying, and confessed:
—It was my fault… She left with a broken heart…
He said Elena had discovered he was cheating on her. She didn’t say anything; she just hugged her belly and cried all night. He promised her he would end the relationship, but it was too late. That same night, she began to experience intense pain that led to her death.
—I’m sorry… I was a coward… forgive me, Elena…
The last sign
The crying became general. Doña Helena, in the midst of the rain, wept:
—My God… why did you suffer like this, daughter? Forgive me for not protecting you…
Luis leaned his forehead on the coffin, pleading:
—You can hate me, you can be angry… but please, let me take you to your rest…
Then the coffin shook slightly. The shaman nodded:
—He already let go.
The men lifted him easily. The sound of trumpets rang out again. Everyone bowed their heads, silently bidding farewell to the one who had departed with a broken heart.
Luis remained on his knees in the rain. In his soul, each apology echoed without consolation. He knew that no tears or regrets could correct what he had done. And that on each sleepless night, the image of Elena crying would accompany him as an eternal reminder of his mistake.
What did we learn from this story?
This story teaches us that emotional damage can also be fatal. Sometimes, the silence of those who suffer is deeper than any cry, and when we don’t listen, we can lose those who loved us most forever. Unspoken words, broken promises, and a lack of empathy leave marks that neither time nor forgiveness can erase.
Caring for those around us, respecting their feelings, and acting responsibly can change the course of many lives. Because there are wounds… that never heal.
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