Filial Piety
(Legend Story from China)
Thousands of years ago in China, there lived a farmer, his wife and
their son. The farmer and his son worked in the fields, and his wife
looked after the house. Every day, the farmer's wife cooked a nice
supper for the family when they finished a hard day's work. They lived
happily together.
Time passed and one cold winter came. Snow was falling heavily.
Everyone had to stay at home by the fire place. Unfortunately, the
farmer fell ill and his condition was getting worse and worse. A doctor
was called to see him. Having examined the farmer, he shook his head
and spoke to the farmer's wife in a low and sad voice. "Your husband is
very ill. He will only recover if he can have a bowl of carp soup. The
carp soup will make him feel better, but it is so cold now and no one
can fish in this weather. All the rivers have turned into ice. I am very
sorry, madam." The doctor then left the house. The farmer's wife was
so sad that she sobbed bitterly.
The farmer's son heard what the doctor had said to his mother. Quietly,
he slipped out of the house, taking with him a fishing basket. He walked
and walked towards the river. Snow and wind were hitting hard at him
and he still kept on walking until he reached the river. Naturally, the river
was covered with thick ice. It was as hard as rock. He slowly and
carefully walked on the icy river and lay down. He was hoping that the
heat from his body might melt the cold ice. Hours passed and he fell
asleep. Without knowing how long he had been laying down on the icy
river, he was suddenly awakened by the flowing movement of the river.
At once he realised that the ice had melted underneath his body.
Without hesitation, he quickly turned and dived deep into the river and
deep into the river and caught a carp.
He went home happily and knocked at the door.
"Open the door, mother, quick, quick," cried the farmer's son.
His mother opened the door and was shocked to see his son soaking
wet. "Where have you been and what on earth have you done to
yourself. You are soaking wet. Come in quickly or else you will catch a
cold."
"Mother, mother, I have caught a carp for father. Look", said the
farmer's son.
"How can you get the carp in this freezing cold weather?", asked his
mother with astonishment.
The farmer's son told his mother what he had done, and how he had
melted the ice. After the farmer's wife heard of the story, she
embraced her son and wept.
"You are really our good son", said his mother.
"You 'd better go and change to some dry clothes. I will make you a hot
bowl of congee, while I cook the carp soup for your father," said his
mother.
A couple of days later, the farmer fully recovered and the family were
very happy again.
(Source : http://www.orientalwomentalk.net/ChineseLegend.html)
