Upon arriving at the town of Yi Chieh, they found this worthy anxious to purchase all the paintings of P’o-tzu, for they were indeed things of beauty. But being an honest man he spoke to them sincerely saying, “Though I would have them all I cannot afford to give you the sum of their true worth. Thus, I will purchase only these three and give you a recommendation to a worthy friend in our provincial capital who will be glad to have them at a handsome price.”
And Chen Jen’s former pupils, when they were admitted to their elder’s presence, ran to him and embraced him around his waist, calling him Revered Grandfather. “You have come to teacher us, is it not so!?” exclaimed the youngest.
“I may indeed again teach you briefly, if it is your father’s wish,” replied Chen Jen. “But for now I must go on to other business. But surely you have not forgotten what last I taught you?”
“No, Respected Teacher, we remember it well and apply it every day!” answered the eldest. “‘He who follows his open heart is never without a teacher.’ But we find it so much fun to share with each other that we always think how much fun it would be to share with you, our Respected Teacher, too!”
Turning to Yi Chieh, Chen Jen said, “Your children are a delight to my heart and your pride in their maturing wisdom must be great.”
“It is as you say,” replied Yi Chieh, “yet with wisdom comes freedom and with their freedom, my loss. Nevertheless, I would have it no other way, for I, too, am learning the lessons of letting go.”
Thus after a few days of rest and fellowship, Chen Jen and Tzu-yu departed for the capital of the province six days distant. Along the road they passed through many villages and in these they were able to find either a place in an inn for the night or the home of a willing native.
And upon arriving at the provincial capital they were quickly able to sell the remaining paintings to the friend of Yi Chieh for a most handsome sum. And though he entreated them to stay and share more stories of their adventures and of the character of P’o-tzu whose paintings he had purchased, they felt called to speed back to the town of Yi Chieh and from thence to send Tzu-yu back to the vale with the intended provisions.
This post is part of a series. To view the index, go here.
And Chen Jen’s former pupils, when they were admitted to their elder’s presence, ran to him and embraced him around his waist, calling him Revered Grandfather. “You have come to teacher us, is it not so!?” exclaimed the youngest.
“I may indeed again teach you briefly, if it is your father’s wish,” replied Chen Jen. “But for now I must go on to other business. But surely you have not forgotten what last I taught you?”
“No, Respected Teacher, we remember it well and apply it every day!” answered the eldest. “‘He who follows his open heart is never without a teacher.’ But we find it so much fun to share with each other that we always think how much fun it would be to share with you, our Respected Teacher, too!”
Turning to Yi Chieh, Chen Jen said, “Your children are a delight to my heart and your pride in their maturing wisdom must be great.”
“It is as you say,” replied Yi Chieh, “yet with wisdom comes freedom and with their freedom, my loss. Nevertheless, I would have it no other way, for I, too, am learning the lessons of letting go.”
Thus after a few days of rest and fellowship, Chen Jen and Tzu-yu departed for the capital of the province six days distant. Along the road they passed through many villages and in these they were able to find either a place in an inn for the night or the home of a willing native.
And upon arriving at the provincial capital they were quickly able to sell the remaining paintings to the friend of Yi Chieh for a most handsome sum. And though he entreated them to stay and share more stories of their adventures and of the character of P’o-tzu whose paintings he had purchased, they felt called to speed back to the town of Yi Chieh and from thence to send Tzu-yu back to the vale with the intended provisions.
This post is part of a series. To view the index, go here.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are unmoderated, so you can write whatever you want.