A Teaching Story from You Have to Say Something: Manifesting Zen Insight by Dainin Katagiri
Dainin Katagiri (1928-1990), the first abbot of the Minnesota Zen Center, presents his thoughts on applying Zen insights to our experiences and encounters. To illustrate the power of magnanimous living, he tells the following story:
"I have heard an interesting story about how a famous psychologist in Japan cured a young girl after she suffered a nervous breakdown. The girl was from a wealthy family, and the psychologist met her regularly. But he didn't do or say anything. He just sat with her. One day, as he was sitting with her, the girl peed on the floor right in front of him. He was a very neat gentleman, and he was dressed in a very fine suit. But the moment she did this, he immediately took the beautiful handkerchief from his breast pocket and, without comment, cleaned up after her.
"In time she completely recovered. She later recalled this incident, because she was very impressed by the psychologist's actions that day. Without any hesitation, he just mopped the floor with his fresh, neat handkerchief. There is no way to explain why she recovered. He didn't do anything. He only cleaned up after her during this one incident. But she could feel something very soft, gentle, and magnanimous coming from each pore of his body. She really respected him."

found on www.spiritualityandpractice.com

that story reminds me of a time in my life when I worked in a hospital and was given the opportunity to care for someone in a catatonic state. There were other people who worked with her didn't talk to her. It never occurred to me not to talk just because she didn't talk back.

she was discharged, then returned one day weeks or months later (I can't remember any more how long it was). She stopped by the hospital to tell me thank you for talking to her and treating her well. It brought tears to my eyes then, and still now as I feel blessed to have done the right thing, to have mattered in her life.