An old man sat to eat his lunch upon the mountainside One rice ball slipped and rolled away and would not be denied It tumbled down the grassy slope and vanished in a hole And from the dark came tiny songs that warmed the woodcutter’s soul What rolls away may still do good What leaves your hand may feed A kindness given by surprise Will answer what you need He found the mice around that meal, so glad they called him in They shared their feast and bowed in thanks for food they did not win They sent him home with more than rice, a gift for open hands The lunch he lost came back as joy across the mountain lands What rolls away may still do good What leaves your hand may feed A kindness given by surprise Will answer what you need Even a fallen meal can turn to gratitude… (Music and Lyrics by Jennifer Leigh Nelson © 2026 Cajora Creations, LLC. All rights reserved)
