🧚 Winning Buddha’s Smile, part 7

Almost before daybreak, he dressed in great haste and left the house.1 A butterfly hovered about his head.2 He tried to catch it but could not.3 He stubbornly gave chase, following it in its many turns and wanderings about the garden.4 Suddenly the insect disappeared in the hollow trunk of a tree.5 The young man had closely watched the insect’s flight, and feeling certain now of capturing his prey, he advanced with open hands.6 He expected to find a butterfly, and, behold, he discovered a beautiful young girl before him.7 So great was his surprise that he recoiled for a moment, but quickly suppressing this instinctive impulse, he went toward her, saying:8

“Excuse me, for having disturbed you in your retreat.9 I stumbled upon it purely by accident.10 I was chasing a butterfly that took refuge in the trunk of this tree, and in trying to catch it I came upon you.”11

Cheng-Si needed these words to reassure her.12 At the sight of the young man she was seized with an unusual fear.13 Her agitation prevented her from speaking, but the young King continued:14

“I am very sorry to have troubled you.15 Calm yourself.16 May I ask where you live?”17

“I have no parents, or home, sir.18 I was walking by the seashore when I fell into the water.19 A turtle caught me on his back and carried me to this island where I have been for several days.”20

“Like you, I am an orphan,” the Prince went on.21 “I am a son of the late King of Korea.22 After my father’s death I was banished to this island by the Prime Minister, Ja-Jo-Mi.23 Both of us have been unfortunate it seems.24 But, wouldn’t you like to come and rest yourself for awhile in my house?”25

“Thank you very much.26 But as you are a prisoner you are not free to allow this, are you?”27

“Be at ease about that.28 It is quite true that I am a prisoner, but no one disturbs my lonely life.29 They think that behind these high thick walls, outside of which they have stationed a number of soldiers, it would be useless to inflict upon me other guards or restrictions.30 You can follow me fearlessly.31 Come, it will rest you a bit.”32

Cheng-Si followed the young man.33 Hand in hand they went toward the exile’s home, exchanging very few words.34

“Here, this will be your room,” said the young King.35 “I will leave you to make yourself at home.”36

Cheng-Si, once alone, reflected upon what had happened to her.37 “This young man is charming and very likable,” was her thought.38 “Like me, he has undergone great hardships.”39

As for Ki-Si, he had totally forgotten that only a short time before he had planned to take his own life.40 He could think of nothing but his beautiful guest.41 He was drawn from his meditation by the arrival of the servant who came each day to bring his food.42

“Good,” said the young King.43 “Place it on that table and leave me.44 I shall serve myself to-day.”45

When the servant had gone, Ki-Si went for the girl.46

“Will you share my meagre dinner?” he asked.47

“Gladly, sir.”48

They seated themselves and began to eat.49

“How happy I am to take my repast in your company,” said the young Prince.50

“Why, sir, how is that?”51

“Because I have been here alone for so long.”52

“Yes, I should think it must be very dreary for you.”53

When the meal was over they went for a walk in the garden, the King meanwhile relating all his troubles to Cheng-Si, who was greatly moved thereby, and said:54

“Do not take things too hardly, my friend.55 Have patience.56 Later, when you regain the throne, you will forget these unhappy days.”57

“No,” said the young man.58 “There will be no throne for me.59 Ja-Jo-Mi will have me killed.”60

Cheng-Si gave him a little pat on the cheek and said,61

“Don’t be sad, my friend.62 Cheer up.63 The future will smile upon you.”64

Several weeks passed.65 One afternoon, the two went to sit down upon a bench in the garden, as was their custom.66 The young Prince laughed scornfully, as he pointed out to Cheng-Si the graves scattered here and there in the sun-kissed grass.67

“Why are you laughing like that?” she questioned.68

“Why,” he replied absently, and as if speaking in a trance.69 “I am laughing when I think that life is nothing more than a long mockery of bitterness and sorrow and lasts so briefly after all.70 Like the flies that spend their lifetime in a single sun’s ray, we live but a moment.71 We strive for honors and glory and what not.72 And to what purpose, since death gathers all of us under a common shroud and places us on an equality.73 Friendship and love alone can bind mankind to one another.”74

Then he was silent.75 The contrast between his own sentiments and the aspect of Nature was striking.76 The most profound sadness filled his heart.77 Everything out-of-doors on the contrary seemed to be dancing in a delightful frolic of love.78

Ki-Si, his head close to the pearly shell-like ear of Cheng-Si, continued:79

“See that butterfly yonder!80 He is robbing that little white flower.81 Perhaps he is intoxicated with its perfume; perhaps he is leaving a kiss on its rosy lips?82 Ah, these insects are happier than we mortals.”83

Cheng-Si was pensive.84 She was thinking of the many troubles that had made the young Prince esteem life so lightly.85 But she said to herself that if he could so easily detect love and the loveable in Nature, his soul could not be entirely immune to the sentiment itself.86 Possibly she was beloved by her companion.87

She said to him merrily, “Chase away your sorrow.88 You will not always be unhappy.89 As the Spring-time follows Winter, so laughter follows tears.90 Soon the moon will be shining, for the moon loves the sun and will pursue it into the darkness of night.91 When it rains the earth is refreshed and gladdened.”92

The sun was sinking below the horizon in a blaze of gold and glory.93 Everything marked the hour of rest and peace.94 The birds were flying to their nests, shaking the branches in their flight.95 A great silence lay over all Nature.96 The young Prince took Cheng-Si’s delicate little hand in his and murmured,97

“I love you.”98

“I love you,” was the girl’s answer.99

After this tender confession, the two remained for a long time without saying a word, buried in a deep reverie, happy in their mutual love.100

When they had gone home and had finished their evening repast, Ki-Si said to the young girl:101

“It is customary in our country for parents to give their children in marriage, but we are orphans, so what shall we do to get married?”102

“Let’s marry ourselves,” replied Cheng-Si, naively.103

“Good, let’s get ready for the ceremony.”104

They drew up a large table and covered it with a red cloth.105 Two candles--signifying youth; a needle and thread--signifying union; and incense burners, were placed on this improvised altar before which the betrothed pair knelt to pray to Heaven, after which they drank the sacramental wine from the same cup.106

The ceremony was over.107 Love soon invited them to its wedding joys and the following days were filled with an ineffable happiness and delight.108

Now it came to pass one night that the Prince had a dream.109 He saw in his dream a large bottle the upper portion of which had been broken, whence a crimson stream was slowly flowing.110 Ki-Si awoke with a start and aroused his companion.111 “Ja-Jo-Mi is going to kill me,” he cried with a sob.112 “I shall be forced to desert you, soul of my soul.113 Listen to my dream.”114