Now you see,' said the turtle, drifting back into the pond, 'why it is useless to cry. Your tears do not wash away your sorrows. They feed someone else's joy. And that is why you must learn to swallow your own tears.
In Amy Tan's "The Joy Luck Club," a turtle imparts a profound lesson about the futility of crying. The turtle explains that tears do not alleviate personal pain; instead, they may bring joy to others. This suggests that expressing sorrow can often lead to a neglect of one’s own emotional needs. Rather than letting tears spill, one should learn to cope with their feelings internally.
This sentiment encourages self-reliance and emotional resilience. The idea that one's sorrows can inadvertently enhance someone else's happiness highlights the importance of personal strength in dealing with grief. The turtle's wisdom serves as a reminder to take control of one’s emotions and find ways to heal privately without relying on external validation.
