The Book of Life

shortcomings: “The root of America’s trade problem lies in the inferior quality of American labor.” (p. 14) During the Second World War, America had subjected Japan to great cruelty. Had Japan chosen to respond with words—turning its voice and pen toward propaganda against America’s oppression and conspiracy—it would have gained nothing. In fact, it would have lost whatever remained after the war in the noise of fruitless protest. Instead, Japan chose patience. Rather than raising an outcry, it made constructive effort its mission. The result was extraordinary. In just forty years, history was transformed: the one once behind moved ahead, and the one occupying the front seat was compelled to move back. THE ART OF PATIENCE O n June 24, 1992, the New Delhi English daily The Pioneer published a report by Jal Deep Lahiri. The report carries an important lesson: that some unpleasant situations are best handled simply by bearing them. Refusing to tolerate such situations only makes them worse. The incident took place on the evening of June 22, 1992, when the Rajdhani Express left Delhi for Howrah. Soon after the train departed, passengers in one of the coaches (C-4) discovered that its air-conditioning unit was not