FROM A CHINESE STORY-BOOK.
About thirteen hundred years ago, an officer was unjustly accused of treason by a brother officer, and was condemned to death. His son, who was only fifteen years of age, went to the Emperor, praying to be allowed to die for his father.
The Emperor thereupon set the man free; and then expressed his intention of giving the boy the title "Perfectly Dutiful."
The boy exclaimed: "It is right and just for a son to die when his father is disgraced; but what disgrace can be compared with the idea of gaining honor at a father's expense? I respectfully decline your Majesty's proposed distinction."
A certain man had a mother who lost her sight, and he spent all his money on doctors, but in vain. For thirty long years he cared for her, and would scarcely take off his clothes; and in the pleasant spring weather he would lead his mother into the garden, and laugh and sing, so that she forgot her sadness.
When she died, her son wasted away from grief; and when at last he somewhat recovered his health, he loved his brothers and sisters like his mother, and was as gentle to his nephews and nieces as if they had been his own children. As he said himself, "This is the only way in which I can get some comfort, namely, in letting my love go forth to those who are left."
The eldest son of an ancient Emperor had a younger brother whose name meant "Junior Order," who again had a son named "Illustrious," a lad of remarkable ability. When the elder brother knew that his father's intention was to bequeath the throne to "Junior Order" and "Illustrious," he and the second son, "Harmony," sought a livelihood by collecting medicinal herbs, and went off to the barbarous tribes of China. Moreover, they shaved their heads and tattooed their skin, as much as to say "We are no longer possible candidates for the throne."
By thus secretly ascertaining his father's wishes, and departing at once with his second brother, there was no trace left of the somewhat roundabout arrangement between father, sons, and brothers. In all these matters we should avoid the straight and stiff following of our own inclinations.
A great officer named Yang served his mother most dutifully.
In the spring-time he used to carry her up and down on his back amongst the wealth of flowers; and he would frisk and gambol about, while his mother enjoyed the fragrance and the shade.
The old lady died at the age of one hundred and four.
A prince whose name meant "Solitary Bamboo" had three sons. He left directions in his will that the youngest son should succeed him. But the younger brother wished to make way for the elder. The elder replied, "It is our father's order," and forthwith disappeared. The younger refused the throne, and left the country, like his elder brother, and the people of the land elected the second son as their prince.
Kiang Ong's family was renowned for filial piety and brotherly love. When they were children, he and his two brothers slept under the same coverlet, with exceeding great love and harmony; and when they were grown up, their love could not bear a moment's separation. On one occasion they met with robbers, and the brothers strove for death, each one wishing to die first, with the hope of the others escaping. The robbers, seeing this, released them all three.
