🧚 Winning Buddha’s Smile, part 2 · page 2

“Nothing can be nearer the truth,” gravely replied the disciple.103

“But what must I do?104 Tell me, tell me!”105

“You must give me three hundred bags of rice and I will pray in your stead.”106

“Alas, I cannot give what you require of me.”107

“That doesn’t make any difference.108 I do not ask for the immediate delivery of the three hundred bags of rice.109 It will be sufficient if you bind yourself in writing to pay me when you have the means to do so.”110

“I’ll accept on those conditions,” replied Sun.111

The disciple passed over to him a paper on which the poor blind man placed his signature.112

“I am obliged to leave you, now,” said the disciple.113

“Then, good-bye, until we meet again.”114

When he was alone, Sun reflected upon what the disciple had told him.115 The idea of seeing the sunlight again and of acquiring honor and wealth filled his very being with ecstasy.116 On the other hand, the obligation of furnishing three hundred sacks of rice considerably diminished his joy.117 A man, whose daughter was obliged to beg to keep him from starving, would never be able to fulfill the promise which he had signed.118 He regretted having given a promise which he could never hope to keep.119

Sun was drawn from his reveries by the arrival of his daughter.120

“Why so melancholy, father?” inquired the child.121 “Is it because I am late to-day that you seem sad?122 I must ask your pardon.123 I went to the cemetery and from there to gather some alms.124 They gave me some things to eat, as your hands can tell.125 Don’t you forgive me?”126

“My dear child, it is not you who makes me so sad.127 Listen, and I will tell you what happened to me.128 When you did not come home I was a little worried and wanted to go and meet you.129 On the way, I fell into the lake and gave myself up for lost when I was rescued by a disciple of an anchorite.130 This man led me home and said to me, while we were walking along, ‘I predict to you that you will no longer be blind and that some day you will become the King’s Prime Minister.’131 But I have to pay him three hundred sacks of rice and I can never do it.132 That is why I am sad.”133

“Do not worry too much about that, father.134 We shall find a way that will enable you to keep your promise.”135

After they had shared their meagre meal the young girl went to her room where she began to reflect upon her father’s story.136 Not succeeding in going to sleep, she went out to take a bath in the lake, after which she began to prepare the sacrifice table in the garden.137 She placed in the centre a vase filled with water, lighted the incense burner and two candles, one at each end, and began to pray to Heaven.138 Her prayers continued almost until daybreak.139

Not until then did Cheng-Si go to her room.140 Exhausted with fatigue, she fell asleep almost immediately.141 She dreamed that an old man was saying to her, “Very shortly something is going to happen to you.142 Some one will cross your path who will make you an attractive proposal.143 Do not hesitate to accept, for it is an exceptional opportunity.”144

On awakening, the child recalled her dream and was pensive and thoughtful for a long while.145 In reality her dream was soon to come true.146 Some dreams do.147

In the days of our story, Korean merchants in search of business were accustomed to make one trip a year across the Yellow Sea, which lies between China and Korea.148 The crossing was very difficult and dangerous because of the rapidity of the current in certain spots.149 After each trip they were always sure to report the loss of some boat.150 Thinking to avoid this danger, the merchants had recourse to a very ancient and very barbarous practice.151 In each village where they traded they purchased a young girl.152 These victims were thrown into the sea and the perils of the voyage were thought to be in this way forestalled.153

Now, this day, Cheng-Si, the fair, had scarcely left her home when she met one of these traders in search of a human victim.154 The merchant asked the young girl if she knew where he could find what he wanted.155 To this request Cheng-Si replied:156

“You need not look any farther.157 If you want to take me, I will go, but what will you give me in exchange for my life?”158

“Anything that you want.”159

“Suppose I ask for three hundred bags of rice?”160

“I’ll accept the offer, but I have some partners and must consult with them, so I will not be able to give you a positive answer for a few days.”161

“I’ll wait, then.”162

“Good-bye,” said the merchant.163

Happy at having concluded this bargain which was to result so seriously for her, the young girl impatiently awaited the merchant’s return.164 One beautiful morning she saw him coming toward the house and immediately went to meet him.165

“Has the affair been settled?” she asked him, without manifesting the least emotion.166

“Yes, you shall have your three hundred bags of rice.167 Do you want them right away?”168

“Yes, indeed, if I may.169 Please wait a moment, I must tell my father.”170

Cheng-Si went into the house.171 She did not know how to tell her father about her fatal decision.172

“To tell him the truth,” she said to herself “is to condemn him to a death from grief.173 I can remember his anxiety that day when I was a little late in coming home.174 Now suppose I should never come back--but it must be done.”175

The young girl threw her arms about her father’s neck and cried in a joyful voice:176

“Father, I have found a way to get you the three hundred bags of rice that you owe the disciple.177 Send for him at once.”178

When the disciple had come, Cheng-Si took him to the merchant’s place of business and turned over to him the three hundred bags of rice.179 She then demanded, in exchange, the paper bearing her father’s signature, thanked him for having saved Sun-Yen’s life, and asked him to continue his prayers for the blind man.180 The disciple promised to do so and left the young girl.181

Very happy because of her sacrifice, she hastened to her father and handed him the paper which he had signed.182

“Where did you get this?” demanded the surprised Sun.183

“From the disciple, to whom I gave the three hundred sacks of rice.”184

“But, how in the world did you get all that rice, my daughter?”185

“In a very simple way.186 I sold myself the other day.”187

“What are you saying!188 Ah, unhappy girl, do you want to kill me?”189

“Now do not worry about this, father.190 Let me finish what I have to tell you.191 It is true that I have sold myself but I am not going very far away and perhaps I shall see you every day.192 There isn’t anything to be troubled about.193 I am sacrificing my liberty with the best of good will so as to insure your happiness.194 When we have saved up enough money I will pay back the price of the rice and then, once I am free, nothing can prevent me from remaining with you forever.”195