🧚 Winning Buddha’s Smile, part 2

“What makes you say that?” queried Sun.1

“Because they have little ones to care for while we have no children.”2

“Console yourself, my dear, we are not yet so old that Heaven may not smile upon us.3 Have confidence in the future.4 But I think it is time to return.5 The sun is going down and you must be tired.”6

The two returned slowly to their home, lost in thought.7

Now it came to pass one night that Sun’s wife had a dream.8 She saw an angel from Heaven bending over her.9 She awoke, startled by the vividness of this vision, and immediately told her husband about it.10

“Yes,” said the latter, “that is very queer but I shouldn’t worry about it.11 Fatigue has caused this nightmare.”12

The truth was that this noble lady was soon to become a mother.13 In fact, it was not long before she gave birth to a daughter to whom they gave the name of Cheng-Si.14 Sun, the benevolent, was overwhelmed with joy--as one should be when Heaven smiles.15

Unfortunately, his wife lay seriously ill.16 It was soon evident that there was no hope of saving her.17 Scarcely three days had passed after the birth of little Cheng-Si when her mother died.18 She sensed the approach of death and whispered weakly to her husband:19

“My dear, I am going to leave you.20 I know that your grief will be very great but do not give yourself up to it.21 You must look after our little one.22 Get a nurse for her if you can.”23

With a supreme effort the dying woman clasped her baby to her breast.24

“Alas,” she said with a deep sigh, “this is the last time I shall have you so near me.”25

Sun, in tones of deepest sorrow, said to his wife:26

“Dearest wife, can it be true that you are going to leave me?27 We have always protected and shared with the unfortunate and yet the gods permit us to be parted.28 It is an injustice.”29

His wife did not hear his final words.30 Death had already touched her brow and called her to her ancestors.31 Sun saw but did not wish at first to believe.32

He called to his wife, tears streaming down his cheeks, but, alas, his words were unanswered.33

“Now, I am all alone,” he cried in despair.34 “What will become of me and this child!”35

He gazed fondly at his daughter who was still clasped to her mother’s breast.36 This sad sight increased Sun’s grief.37 He took the little baby and turned it over to the care of a nurse whom he managed to secure.38 Then, beside himself with grief, he busied himself with his wife’s burial.39

All this happened so quickly that Sun-Yen thought it had happened in a dream, but the sad evidence was there before his eyes.40 Each day he could be seen walking to the spot where his wife was sleeping.41 These frequent visits merely aggravated his anguish and it was impossible for him to control himself.42

Our friend was always in tears; he could get no rest nor sleep and shortly more ill fortune came to him.43 From having shed so many tears, Sun became blind.44

This terrible blow almost prostrated him but he continued to drag out the same wretched existence.45 His greatest regret was in not being able to look upon the face of his little daughter.46 So passed several years.47

Meanwhile, Cheng-Si was growing up.48 She was now in her thirteenth year and was obliged to help support her poor father who was without resources of any kind.49 She had but one way to keep Sun from starving and that was by begging.50 She went about this sad task without any false modesty.51 Her wits, however, were not asleep and one day she said to her father:52

“There is something which I do not understand.”53

“What is that, my child?”54

“Father, how is it that so many other people can live with their relatives and friends while we are here all alone?”55

“Ah, my daughter, it is very true that we must live by ourselves.56 But things were not always thus.57 There was a time when I lived at the Capital of Korea with your poor mother and we were surrounded by many friends.58 I occupied a high position.59 Our family belonged to the highest nobility and was always in good standing at the Court of the King.60 But, one day, because of a malicious slander, of which the King thought me guilty, I was exiled here.61 My friend, San-Houni, was trapped in the same affair and was sent to Ko-Kum-To.62 He shares our downfall for he also comes from an excellent family.63 I am very sorry that since my arrival at this island I have had no news of my old friend.”64

“Perhaps it is not possible for him to communicate with you,” said the child in order to console the old man.65 “Excuse me, father,” she added, “it is time for me to go to work.”66

“Go, my child, and come home early.”67

Little Cheng-Si, the fair, walked at a rapid gait.68 She went first to the cemetery to pray a moment beside her mother’s grave.69 Cheng-Si was just as industrious as she was intelligent.70 She gave up her nights to study, while during the day she went from door to door asking alms.71

One day, she went as usual to pray by her mother’s resting place.72 She remained there longer than usual and did not return home at the customary hour.73

Sun, missing his daughter, was sorely troubled.74 At last, he resolved to go search for her.75 Leaning on his cane, he started out slowly and feebly.76 Unfortunately, when he came to the edge of a pond close by his home, he made a false step and fell into the water.77 He groaned to himself, “This is certain death for me, and my poor little girl will hunt for me everywhere.”78 And he began to shout lustily at the top of his voice.79

Happily Sun-Yen’s cries were heard by the disciple of an anchorite who lived in a cave on the mountain slope, a short distance from the lake.80 He came running and soon had Sun out of the water.81

He demanded of him:82

“Where do you live?”83

“Right close by.”84

“But how is it that you, a blind man, go out alone?85 Don’t you know that you are running a great risk in doing this?”86

“Yes, I know it.87 I never do go out alone.88 To-day, however, I ventured away from my home to hunt for my little girl.89 She did not return at her usual time so I went to look for her.90 That is how I came to fall into the lake from which I would never have come out alive without your assistance.91 You have saved my life.”92

“I have only done my duty,” replied the disciple, humbly.93

He took Sun by the arm and led him to his little dwelling.94 On the way, he asked of him:95

“Will you have faith in what I am going to tell you?”96

“Certainly.”97

“Well, I predict, indeed I can read in your face, that your evil days will not last forever.98 Within three years you shall recover your sight and you shall become Prime Minister.99 Your fortune also shall be unsurpassed.100 To attain this goal you must pray diligently to Chen-Houang (the Emperor of Heaven).”101

“Have I heard you aright?” cried Sun, beside himself with astonishment and joy.102