NARRATIVE TEXT

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)