🧚 Winning Buddha’s Smile, part 4

“I could not ask for anything better, but why can’t I take my little one along with me?”1

“Because it is against the rules of our order to receive children.2 I know it is hard for you to give up your little one, but since you scarcely have any choice in the matter, you must resign yourself.3 If you were to continue on your way with your little son you would unquestionably fall into the hands of the brigands.4 Besides, it is possible that you may be able to reclaim your child some day in the future.5 When he becomes a man he will aid you in getting retribution for his father’s death.”6

Yeng-Si followed the advice of the nun.7 She wrapped the little fellow as well as she could, tearing bandages from her own clothes.8 Since she wished to have some sign which would enable her to recognize her son, she took his arm and with a needle traced on the pink flesh the characters forming the name of San-Syeng.9 Then she went over these letters with India ink which the nun gave her.10 Finally, slipping off the ring which she wore, she placed it in the wrappings of the child.11 This finished, she started out accompanied by the nun.12 They were going to the neighboring village to place the child at a street corner and then return to the temple.13

Very soon, Yeng-Si could sight the roofs of the little village where she was to say “good-bye” to her son.14 Alas, the child, whom she and her husband had been looking forward to with such great joy, would be abandoned just as if she were an unnatural mother.15 Her cup was filled to the brim with sorrow, for her husband had been murdered before her eyes and now her son was to be left on a street corner.16 More dead than alive, she gently placed the child on the ground after giving him a last fond kiss.17 With a supreme effort she regained her courage and walked slowly away, shedding tears of sorrow, while the hunger-cries of the baby grew louder and louder.18

She tottered along very, very feebly, she was so torn with emotion and anguish.19 The nun, familiar with sad scenes, was nevertheless deeply moved.20

“Pray, pray to Heaven,” she said to Yeng-Si, “some day you will find your son.21 He will come to you when he grows up.22 Something within me gives me confidence in what I am telling you, but prepare yourself for a long separation--take courage.”23

_Here endeth our third chapter.24

IV25

IV26

When the vapors of intoxication had cleared from Su-Rung’s brain, his first thought was of his captive.27 He ran to the old woman’s hut where the widow of San-Houni was confined.28 Great was his astonishment on finding the house empty.29 In vain did he burst into anger, and shout.30 No one answered.31 Breathless from rage, he went to his brother.32

“Have you seen these two women?”33

“No. I have not seen them since I was here last.”34

“They have disappeared, but I know how to find them.”35

Su-Rung set out in pursuit accompanied by his brother.36 The latter feared that Su-Rung in his fury would do harm if he succeeded in coming upon the fugitives and Su-Yeng wished to be present to protect them should the worst come to the worst.37

Traveling speedily, the two brothers very soon reached the shores of the lake, of which we have spoken before.38 Here they saw Yeng-Si’s sandals by the water’s edge and a body floating in the middle of the lake.39

Even Su-Rung was moved by the sight and cried:40

“The poor woman is drowned.”41

“Brother,” replied Su-Yeng, “you would not listen to me and you have been punished.42 You wished to make this woman your slave and she has escaped from your clutches in spite of your efforts.43 What a great misfortune for us.”44

“You mean to say that it is my fault,” took up Su-Rung, angrily, “You are to blame yourself.45 Why did you let my prisoner escape?”46

The dispute between the two brothers lasted in this manner until Su-Rung’s rage had cooled.47 Instead of retracing their steps at once they continued on their way to the neighboring village and were the first ones to find the baby which Yeng-Si had left there a half hour or so before.48 Quite pleased at his unusual discovery Su-Rung took the little being and carried it home with him where he confided it to a nurse, instructing her to take the greatest care of the little boy.49

Several times Su-Rung questioned his brother concerning the escape of the two women.50 Not being successful, however, in learning anything about the matter he dismissed the entire subject from his mind.51

The murderer of San-Houni gave all his time to the education of the child he had adopted.52 He treated him as if he were his own son.53 It must be said that the little fellow gave him abundant cause for satisfaction.54 He was good to look upon, extremely intelligent and grew up rapidly.55 One day he asked Su-Rung:56

“Father, where is my mother?”57

“Your mother,” replied Su-Rung, very much embarrassed by the question, “your mother died a short time after you were born.”58

Su-Rung was in the habit of accompanying his adopted son to school.59 The young scholar was not long in distinguishing himself among his comrades who could not witness his success without a show of jealousy and hate.60 To obtain revenge they could find nothing better to do than to taunt him about having no parents.61

“No parents,” shouted the indignant boy.62 “Why, I have a father and it is not my fault if I lost my mother before I was able to know her.63 I do not see why I deserve your reproaches.”64

“That shows that you really do not know anything about yourself.65 Su-Rung is not your father.66 He is only a thief and a robber.67 He found you on a street corner and brought you up.”68

This revelation troubled the child very much and he made it known to Su-Rung.69

“Don’t be troubled about that, my child,” replied the latter.70 “These boys are jealous of you and they invent these stories to anger you.71 They are not worth bothering about at all.”72

Yeng-Si’s son was somewhat reassured by this.73 But other circumstances aroused his suspicions.74 He accidentally discovered the name of San-Syeng tattooed on his arm.75 Additional evidence was furnished him when he found a ring one day while rummaging among some old books and papers.76 He hid this precious object in his pocket, saying to himself:77

“I believe what the fellows told me was true after all.”78

From this day on, San-Syeng was constantly preoccupied with thoughts as to who his parents might be.79 In order to more easily solve this problem he determined to travel through the country, thinking that some day he would be able to discover those to whom he owed his birth.80

When he had reached his seventeenth year, San-Syeng asked Su-Rung for permission to make a trip through Korea in order to finish his education.81 Su-Rung made no opposition, although he preferred that his adopted son take a traveling companion.82 Nevertheless, he did not insist but gave his consent for San-Syeng to travel alone on a journey that would consume perhaps two years.83

San-Syeng had been gone several weeks when he came to a beautiful little village where he counted upon remaining but a short while.84 Until now, his voyage had been uneventful.85 But the time for adventure was at hand.86 The first incident was somewhat distasteful.87 San-Syeng had stopped for a moment in the street where some children were playing.88 He was watching their antics with pleasure when he received a shock.89 He had just heard one of the gamins ask one of his comrades.90