Stories for children of all ages
translated by GB Talovich
Edited by Silent Voices
There was an old man named Chu. He was well over sixty. He had done many good things throughout his life. In the old days, transportation was very difficult. He donated money to have roads made and bridges built so people could get around more easily. People in need could always count on him for help. His neighbors had many good things to say about him.
One day he saw a fisherman on his way to the market to sell a carp he had caught. This beautiful fish had red markings as bright and warm as a fire in the winter. Its eyes were as shiny as stars in the sky. Old Chu thought it would be a shame to eat such a beautiful fish. He bought the carp for a good price and put it in a pond. He felt very good about that.
But Chu was an old man, and nobody lives forever. Not long after that, he felt weak, very light-headed, and very sad. He thought he might not live much longer. As he was lying home sick, a little serving boy came in, and said, "Mister Chu, my master has sent me to invite you to eat with him."
Old Chu didn't recognize whose serving boy it was, but he thought getting out of bed might do him good; a meal out might lift up his spirits. He followed the boy. "I must really be sick," he thought as they made their way, "Everything looks hazy, and glowing in a golden light."
Before long, he found himself standing in front of an ornate palace with carved pillars and painted beams. A sign over the front door read, "The Crystal Palace".
"Strange! Isn't that the name of the dragon's palace?" wondered Old Chu.
In a few moments, out came his host, a most impressive man with thick eye-brows, long eyes, and five long strands of whiskers. He looked lively and powerful, yet virtuous. After they had chatted a bit, Old Chu found out that his host was none other than the Dragon King himself!
Together they enjoyed a royal feast. The Dragon King told Old Chu, "One of my sons was out fooling around the other day, and was kidnapped by a bandit who was going to murder him! Fortunately, you were there to save him. For this we are most grateful.
"Actually, your time on this earth is just about up, but because you have rescued a dragon in the guise of a fish, you have earned the right to live longer. I have prepared this simple dinner to express my gratitude, and explain this to you." Old Chu humbly replied, "I hardly dare to accept your generosity. From now on, I will do even more good deeds to show my deep gratitude."
After their feast, Old Chu woke up in bed with a full stomach, "It must have been a dream," he told himself. "But if it was a dream., why am I so full?"
He did many more good deeds, and died peacefully many years later without any suffering at the age of one hundred and twenty.
related post: 《The Love of Life》- General Mao and The Turtle
Source Of Information:
《Wisdom of the Buddhas》, by Venerable Wu Ling, based on the Talks of Venerable Master Chin Kung, translated by Silent Voices, published in August, 2012, distributed by Amitabha Buddhist Society Malaysia (92, Jalan Pahang, 53300 Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
*** The information provided above does not contain personal opinion of this blog.
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