Catch of a Lifetime

He was 11 years old and went fishing every chance he got from the dock at his family’s 1)cabin on an island in the middle of a New Hampshire lake.

On the day before the 2)bass season 3)opened, he and his father were fishing early in the evening, catching 4)sunfish and 5)perch with worms. Then he tied on a small silver 6)lure and practiced casting. The lure struck the water and caused colored 7)ripples in the sunset, then silver ripples as the moon rose over the lake.

When his 8)peapole doubled over, he knew something huge was on the other end. His father watched with admiration as the boy skillfully worked the fish alongside the dock.

Finally, he very 9)gingerly lifted the exhausted fish from the water. It was the largest one he had ever seen, but it was a bass.

the boy and his father looked at the handsome fish, 10)gills playing back and forth in the moonlight. The father lit a match and looked at his watch. It was 10 P.M.-- two hours before the season opened. He looked at the fish, then at the boy.

“You’ll have to put it back, son,” he said.

“Dad!” cried the boy.

“there will be other fish,” said his father.

“Not as big as this one,” cried the boy.

He looked around the lake. No other fishermen or boats were anywhere around in the moonlight. He looked again at his father. Even though no one had seen them, nor could anyone ever know what time he caught the fish, the boy could tell by the clarity of his father’s voice that the decision was not 11)negotiable. He slowly worked the hook out of the lip of the huge bass and lowered it into the black water.

the creature 12)swished its powerful body and disappeared. The boy suspected that he would never again see such a GREat fish.

That was 34 years ago. Today, the boy is a successful architect in New York City. His father’s cabin is still there on the island in the middle of the lake. He takes his own son and daughters fishing from the same dock.

And he was right. He has never again caught such a magnificent fish as the one he landed that night long ago. But he does see that same fish-again and again-every time he comes up against a question of 13)ethics.

For, as his father taught him, ethics are simple matters of right and wrong. It is only the practice of ethics that is difficult. Do we do right when no one is looking? Do we refuse to 14)cut corners to get the design in on time? Or refuse to trade stocks based on information that we know we aren’t supposed to have?

We would if we were taught to put the fish back when we were young. For we would have learned the truth. The decision to do right lives fresh and fragrant in our memory. It is a story we will proudly tell our friends and grandchildren. Not about how we had a chance to beat the system and took it, but about how we did the right thing and were forever 15)strengthened.

You’ve Got Mail

Joe: Kathleen Kelly, hello. This is a 1)coincidence. Would you mind if I sat down?
Kathleen: Yes, yes, I would. Actually I’m expecting someone. Thanks.
Joe: Pride and Prejudice.
Kathleen: Do you mind?
Joe: I bet you read that book every year. I bet you just love that Mr. Darcy and your 2)sentimental heart just beats wildly at the thought that he and, well, you know whatever her name is, are truly honestly going to 3)end up together.
Waiter: Can I get you something?
Kathleen: No, no, he’s not staying.
Joe: 4)Mochachino, decaf, 5)non-fat.
Kathleen: No, you are not staying.
Joe: I’ll just stay here until your friend gets here. 6)Gee, is he late?
Kathleen: The heroine of Pride and Prejudice is Elizabeth Bennet. She is one of the GREatest and most 7)complex 8)characters ever written, not that you would know.
Joe: As a matter of fact, I’ve read it.
Kathleen: Oh, well, good for you.
Joe: I think you’ll discover a lot of things if you really knew me.
Kathleen: If I really knew you, I know what I would find instead of a brain, a 9)cash register, instead of a heart, a 10)bottom line.
Joe: What?
Kathleen: I just had a 11)breakthrough.
Joe: What is it?
Kathleen: I have you to thank for it, for the first time in my life when 12)confronted with a 13)horrible, 14)insensitive person I knew exactly what I wanted to say and I said it.
Joe: Well, I think you have a 15)gift for it. It was a perfect 16)blend of poetry and 17)meanness.

Kathleen: Meanness, let me tell you something about meanness…
Joe: Don’t misunderstand me. I’m just trying to pay you a 18)compliment.

Kathleen: Oh, oh, why are you touching that? What are you doing?
Joe: Is this a red rose? No, you know it’s a 19)crimson rose. Something you read about in a book, no doubt.
Kathleen: It’s funny to you, isn’t it? Everything is a joke to you. Please leave. Please, please leave, I beg you.... Thank you.
Joe: You know what that 20)hanky reminds me of?
Kathleen: Hmm…
Joe: The first day I met you.
Kathleen: The first day you lied to me.
Joe: I didn’t lie to you.
Kathleen: You did too.
Joe: No, I didn’t.
Kathleen: Yes, you did.
Joe: I did not.
Kathleen: You did too.
Joe: I did not.
Kathleen: You did too.
Joe: I did not.
Kathleen: You did too. I thought all that Fox stuff was so charming. F-O-X.
Joe: Well, I didn’t lie about it.
Kathleen: Joe, just call me Joe.
Joe: Sure.
Kathleen: As if you were one of those stupid 22-year old girls with no last name. Hi, I’m Kimberly, hi, I’m Janice. Don’t they know you’re supposed to have a last name? It’s like they’re an entire 21)generation of 22)cocktail waitresses.

Joe: Look, I am not a 22-year old cocktail waitress.
Kathleen: That is not what I meant.
Joe: And when I said the thing about the Price Club and the 23)cans of 24)olive oil, that’s not what I meant.
Kathleen: Oh, you poor sad multi-millionaire. I feel so sorry for you.
(Someone comes into, Kathleen raises her head and looks forward.)
Joe: Take a wild guess that’s not him either. So who is he, I wonder? Certainly not I, gather the world’s GREatest living 25)expert on 26)Julius and Ethel Rosenberg but somebody else entirely different. And will you be mean to him too?
Kathleen: No, I will not. Because the man who is coming here tonight is completely unlike you. The man who is coming here tonight is kind and funny and he’s got the most wonderful sense of humor.
Joe: But, he’s not here.
Kathleen: Well, if he’s not here he has a reason because there’s not a cruel or 27)careless bone in his body. But I wouldn’t expect you to understand anybody like that. You with your theme park 28)multi-level 29)homogenize the world mochachino land. You’ve 30)deluded yourself into thinking that you’re some sort of 31)benefactor bringing books to the masses. But no one will ever remember you Joe Fox and maybe no one will remember me either, but plenty of people remember my mother and they think she was fine and they think her store was something special. You are nothing but a 32)suit.
Joe: That’s my 33)cue. Have a good night.

color

Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel.
All claimed that they were the best.
the most important.
the most useful.
the favorite.


　　GREen said:


　　"Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was chosen for grass, trees and leaves. Without me, all animals would die. Look over the countryside and you will see that I am in the majority." 　


　　Blue interrupted:


　　"You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace, you would all be nothing." 　


　　Yellow chuckled:


　　"You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the stars are yellow. Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to smile. Without me there would be no fun." 　


　　Orange started next to blow her trumpet:

　　"I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce, but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes, and papayas. I don''t hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you." 　



Red could stand it no longer he shouted out:


　　"I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood - life''s blood! I am the color of danger and of bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. I bring fire into the blood. Without me, the earth would be as empty as the moon. I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose, the poinsettia and the poppy." 　


　　Purple rose up to his full height:


　　He was very tall and spoke with GREat pomp: "I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, chiefs, and bishops have always chosen me for I am the sign of authority and wisdom. People do not question me! They listen and obey." 　


　　Finally Indigo spoke, much more quietly than all the others, but with just as much determination:


　　"Think of me. I am the color of silence. You hardly notice me, but without me you all become superficial. I represent thought and reflection, twilight and deep water. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace." 　　

　　And so the colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own superiority. Their quarreling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was a startling FLASH of bright lightening thunder rolled and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort.


　 In the midst of the clamor, rain began to speak:


　　"You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Don''t you know that you were each made for a special purpose, unique and different? Join hands with one another and come to me." 　


　 Doing as they were told, the colors united and joined hands.


　　the rain continued:


　　"From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky in a GREat bow of color as a reminder that you can all live in peace. The Rainbow is a sign of hope for tomorrow." And so, whenever a good rain washes the world, and a Rainbow appears in the sky, let us remember to appreciate one another. 　

A Good Heart

Our usual walk was to or from the subway, which was how he got to work. He went to work sick, and despite nasty weather. He almost never missed a day, and would make it to the office even if others could not. A matter of pride.

When snow or ice was on the ground, it was impossible for him to walk, even with help. At such times my sisters or I would pull him through the streets of Brooklyn, NY, on a child''s sleigh to the sub­way entrance. Once there, he would cling to the handrail until he reached the lower steps that the warmer tunnel air kept ice-free. In Manhattan the subway station was the basement of his office building, and he would not have to go outside again until we met him in Brooklyn'' on his way home.

When I think of it now, I marvel at how much courage it must have taken for a grown man to subject himself to such indignity and stress. And at how he did it —— without bitterness or complaint .

He never talked about himself as an object of pity, nor did he show any envy of the more fortunate or able. What he looked for in others was a "good heart", and if he found one, the owner was good enough for him.

Now that I am older, I believe that is a proper standard by which to judge people, even though I still don'' t know precisely what a "good heart" is. But I know the times I don’t have one myself.

Unable to engage in many activities, my father still tried to participate in some way. When a local sandlot baseball team found itself |without a manager, he kept it going. He was a knowledgeable baseball fan and often took me to Ebbets Field to see the Brooklyn Dodgers play. He liked to go to dances and parties, where he could have a good time just sitting and watching.

On one memorable occasion a fight broke out at a beach party, with everyone punching and shoving. He wasn''t content to sit and watch, but he couldn''t stand unaided on the soft sand. In frustration he began to shout, "I'' ll fight anyone who will tit down with me!"

Nobody did. But the next day people kidded him by saying it was the first time any fighter was urged to take a dive even before the bout began.

I now know he participated in some things vicariously through me, his only son. When I played ball (poorly), he "played" too. When I joined the Navy he "joined" too. And when I came home on leave, he saw to it that " I visited his office. Introducing me, he was really saying, "This is my son, but it is also me, and I could have done this, too, if things had been different." Those words were never said aloud.

He has been gone many years now, but I think of him often. I wonder if he sensed my reluctance to be seen with him during our walks. If he did, I am sorry I never told him how sorry I was, how unworthy I was, how I reGREtted it. I think of him when I complain about trifles, when I am envious of another''s good fortune, when I don''t have a "good heart".

What I have lived for

　　Three passions, simple but overwhelming1y strong, have governed my life :the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind. These passions, in a wayward course,over a deep ocean of anguish, reaching to the very verge of despair.

　　I have sought love, first, because it brings ecstasy-ecstasy so GREat that I would often have sacrificed all my rest of life for a few hours of this joy. I have sought it ,next because it relieves loneliness-that terrible loneliness in which one shivering consciousness looks over the rim of the world into the co1d unfathomable lifeless abyss. I have sought it, finally, because in the union of love I have seen, in a mystic miniature, the prefiguring vision of the heaven that saints and poets have imagined. This is what I sought, and though it might seem too good for human life, this is what-at last-I have found.

　　With equa1 passion I have sought knowledge. I have wished to understand the hearts of men. I have wished to know why the stars shine. And I have tried to apprehend the Pythagorean power by which number holds sway above the flux. A 1ittle of this, but not much, I have achieved.

　　Love and knowledge, so far they were possible, led upward toward the heavens. But always pity brought me back to earth. Echoes of cries of pain reverberate in my hear. Children in famine, victims tortured by oppressors, helpless old people a hated burden to their pain make a mockery of what human life should be. I long to alleviate the evi1,but I can’t, and I too suffer.

　　This has been my life. I have found it worth living, and wou1d gladly live it again if the chance were offered me.

Of Studies

Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability. their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment, and disposition of business. For expert men can exe-cute, and perhaps judge of particulars, one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best, from those that are learned. To spend too much time in studies is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar. They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience: for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need proyning, by study; and studies themselves, do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience. Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them, and above them, won by observation. Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider. Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention. Some books also may be read by deputy, and extracts made of them bothers; but that would be only in the less important arguments, and the meaner sort of books, else distilled books are like common distilled waters, FLASHy things.

Reading make a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man. And therefore, if a man write little, he had need have a GREat memory; if he confer little, he had need have a present wit: and if he read little, he had need have much cunning, to seem to know, that he doth not. Histories make men wise; poets witty; the mathematics subtitle; natural philosophy deep; moral grave; logic and rhetoric able to contend. Abeunt studia in mores. Nay, there is no stand or impediment in the wit, but may be wrought out by fit studies; like as diseases of the body, may have appropriate exercises. Bowling is good for the stone and reins; shooting for the lungs and breast; gentle walking for the stomach; riding for the head; and the like. So if a man''s wit be wandering, let him study the mathematics; for in demonstrations, if his wit be called away never so little, he must begin again. If his wit be not apt to distinguish or find differences, let him study the Schoolmen; for they are cymini sectors. If he be not apt to beat over matters, and to call up one thing to prove and illustrate another, let him study the lawyers'' cases. So every defect of the mind, may have a special receipt.

The Truth Behind Fear--A Ghost Story

Now, there was a very young and beautiful wife, who became sick and nearly died. She was on her death bed and told her husband, "I love you very much, and I don't want to leave you. Please, after I die, don't marry another person. You promise me! Okay?

Then she worried that her husband would not keep the promise, so she threatened him. She said, "If you marry another wife, I will become a ghost and take care of you." It's terrible! That's what she said to her husband, "I will make you suffer, always, forever, and eternally!" So the husband was maybe afraid of the wife. But here (Master points to the book) they say, "respected the wife." We always respect the wife, do we not? We respect the wife, but we're not afraid! So the husband respected the wife and didn't think of remarrying another person.


But as God always makes trouble for human beings, he met another beautiful woman, younger, charming, sweeter and more attractive, and richer even! Rich! Oh, terrible! And she even loved him very much and maybe more than the wife. Oh, too bad! That was only three months after the funeral service. Now what can we do about that?

So he got engaged to her. After the engagement (the engagement happened during the daytime), that night the husband saw the ghost of the wife coming. "Ah ha! As promised, here I come." She appeared in front of him and scolded him and nagged him, saying that he had broken his promise; that he did not love her; that he was not sincere; that he was a bad husband; that he had no conscience; that he was a lousy man; that he was a terrible human being.


Then the husband got very scared! Because this ghost was so terribly intelligent; she knew exactly what had happened between the husband

and the new fiancée. She told him what time he did what with her, and what time he gave her what, and talked to her about what. She knew everything, everything! So he couldn't deny it. But he was very scared.

He was so scared that he could not sleep, he could not eat, and he dared not go to see his fiancée often. And their love affair nearly went on the rocks. So some people told him that he should go to a temple and talk about his suffering to a Zen master, and maybe the Zen master could help him. Oh, my God! The Zen master takes care of everything, including ghosts and marriage.


So the Zen master truly helped him. He said to the husband, "Your ex-wife has become a ghost." (This we knew) "And she is very intelligent. So she knows everything that you did with your fiancée. Actually, you should respect such a ghost. But there is a way to drive her away. Now,

next time if the ghost appears, you have to make a bet with her." The Zen master said that she knew everything; she knew too much already. But probably there was something she didn't know. If she answered incorrectly, then she should not come back and bother him any more. Then he could marry the one he loved.

Because she was dead! She could not serve him in any way. She could not cook for him. She could not take care of anything. So the husband asked the Zen master, "What can I do? What should I ask her?"

And the Zen master said to him, "Next time when she comes, take a handful of mung beans in your hand and ask her how many beans are inside. She surely cannot answer that. And then she will disappear. Because, if she cannot answer that question, you will know this is only an illusion of your own mind, your own conscience or your own imagination

because you're already too scared, afraid of the wife and imagining, an illusion of your mind. If she doesn't answer, if she cannot answer, then you know it's an illusion and she will vanish."

So, the next night, truly, the ghost appeared. And the husband told her, "Oh, yes, you know everything. You are very intelligent; I cannot do anything about it." And then the ghost said, "Yes, I know. And I also know that today you went to see a Zen master and you talked about us."


So the man said, "Okay, since you know everything, now, can you tell me how many beans are in my hand?" As soon as he asked this question, the ghost disappeared.
So you know, was there a real ghost? No! Then you shouldn't be afraid tonight.

A Drum

A poor woman had only one son. She worked hard cleaning houses and grinding grain for the well-to-do families in town. They gave her some grain in return and she lived on it. But she could never afford to buy nice clothes or toys for her son. Once, when she was going to the market with some grain to sell, she asked her son, "What can I get you from the market?" He promptly replied, "A drum, Mother, get me a drum."
The mother knew she would never have enough money to buy a drum for her son. She went to the market, sold the grain, and bought some gram flour and some salt. She felt sad that she was coming home empty-handed. So when she saw a nice piece of wood on the road, she picked it up and brought it home to her son. The son didn't know what to do with it.

Yet he carried it with him when he went out to play. An old woman was lighting her woodstove with some cow-dung patties. The fire was not catching and there was smoke all around and it made the old woman's eyes water. The boy stopped and asked why she was crying. She said that she couldn't light her fire and cook. The boy said, "I have a nice piece of wood and you can start your fire with it." The old woman was very pleased, lit the fire, made some bread, and gave a piece to the boy.

He took the bread and walked on till he came upon a potter's wife. Her child was crying and flailing his arms. The boy stopped and asked her why the child was crying. The potter's wife said the child was hungry and she had nothing in the house to give him. The boy gave the bread in his hand to the hungry child, who ate it eagerly and stopped crying. The potter's wife was grateful to the boy and gave him a pot.

When he walked on, he came to the river, where he saw a washerman and his wife quarreling. The boy stopped and asked the man why he was scolding and beating his wife. The washerman said, "This woman broke the only pot we had. Now I've nothing to boil my clothes in before I wash them." The boy said, "Here, don't quarrel, take this pot and use it." The washerman was very happy to get a large pot. He gave the boy a coat in return.

The boy walked on. He soon came to a bridge, where he saw a man shivering in the cold without so much as a shirt on him. He asked the man what had happened to his shirt, and the man said, "I was coming to the city on this horse. Robbers attacked me and took everything, even my shirt." The boy said, "Don't worry. You can have this coat." The man took the coat and said, "You're very kind, and I want to give you this horse."

The boy took the horse, and very soon he ran into a wedding party with the musicians, the bridegroom, and his family, but all of them were sitting under a tree with long faces. The boy stopped and asked why they looked so depressed. The bridegroom's father said, "We're all set to go in a wedding procession. But we need a horse for the bridegroom. The man who was supposed to bring it hasn't arrived. The bridegroom can't arrive on foot. It's getting late, and we'll miss the auspicious hour for the wedding." So the boy offered them his horse, and they were delighted. When the bridegroom asked him what he could do in return, the boy said, "You can give me something: that drum your musician is carrying." The bridegroom had no trouble persuading the drummer to give the drum to the boy. The drummer knew he could easily buy another with the money he was going to get.

The boy now rushed home to his mother, beating his new drum, and told her how he got it, beginning with a piece of wood from the roadside.

Bear and fox

THE big bear and the clever fox had once bought a firkin of butter together; they were to have it at Christmas-tide, and hid it till then under a thick spruce bush.
After that they went a little way off and lay down on a sunny bank to sleep. So when they had lain a while the fox got up, shook himself, and bawled out "yes."
Then he ran off straight to the firkin and ate a good third part of it. But when he came back, and the bear asked him where he had been since he was so fat about the paunch, he said,
"Don't you believe then that I was bidden to a childbed feast."
"So, so," said the bear. "What was the young's name?"
"Just-begun," said the fox.
So they lay down to sleep again. In a little while up jumped the fox again, bawled out "yes," and ran off to the firkin.
This time, too, he ate a good lump. When he came back, and the bear asked him again where he had been, he said,
"Oh wasn't I bidden to a naming childbed party again, don't you think."
"And pray what was the young's name this time?" asked the bear.
"Half-eaten," said the fox.
The bear thought that a very queer name, but he hadn't wondered long over it before he began to yawn and gape, and fell asleep. Well, he hadn't lain long before the fox jumped up as he had done twice before, bawled out "yes," and ran off to the firkin, which this time he cleared right out. When he got back he had been bidden to childbed feast again, and when the bear wanted to know the young's name he answered,
"Licked-to-the-bottom."
After that they lay down again, and slept a long time; but then they were to go to the firkin to look at the butter, and when they found it eaten up, the bear threw the blame on the fox, and the fox on the bear; and each said the one had been at the firkin while the other slept.
"Well, well," said Reynard, "we'll soon find this out, which of us has eaten the butter. We'll just lay down in the sunshine, and he whose cheeks and chaps are GREasiest when we wake, he is the thief."
Yes, that trial the big bear felt ready to stand; and as he knew in his heart he had never so much as tasted the butter.
Then Reynard stole off to the firkin for a morsel of butter, which stuck there in a crack. Then he crept back to the bear who now lay without a care, sleeping in the sun, and greased his chaps and cheeks with it. Then he, too, lay down to sleep as if nothing had happened.
So when they both woke, the sun had melted the butter, and the bear's whiskers were all greasy; so it was the bear after all, and no one else, who had eaten the butter.

three short years

　　Liu Shan, the Emperor of Shu-Han, passed away in the seventh year of GREat Beginning, in
Jin calendar （AD 271）。 Cao Huang, the Emperor of Wei, passed away in the first year of
Magnificent Peace （AD 302）。 And Sun Hao, the Emperor of Wu, passed away in the fourth
year of Prosperous Peace （AD 283）。 All three died of natural causes.
　　A poet has summed up the history of these stirring years in a poem：
　　[hip, hip, hip] It was the dawning of a glorious day When first the Founder of the House
of Han Xianyang's proud Palace entered. Noontide came When Liu Xiu the imperial rule
restored. Alas, that Liu Xian succeeded in full time And saw the setting of the sun of power
！
　　He Jin, the feeble, fell beneath the blows Of Palace minions. Dong Zhuo, vile though
bold, Then ruled the court. The plot Wang Yun To oust him, failed, recoiled on his own head.
The Li Jue and Guo Si lit up the flame of war And brigands swarmed like ants through all the
land. Then rose the valiant and deployed their might. Sun Ce carved out a kingdom in the
southeast, North of Yellow River the Yuans strove to make their own. Liu Zhang went west and
seized on Ba and Shu, Liu Biao laid hold on Jingzhou and Chu, Zhang Lu, in turn held
Hanzhong by force. Ma Teng and Han Sui kept Xiliang. Tao Qian and Gongsun Zan built up
quarters, Zhang Xiu and Lu Bu challenged the bold. But overtopping all Cao Cao the strong
Became first minister, and to his side, Drew many able people. He swayed the court, Without,
he held the nobles in his hand；By force of arms he held the capital Against all rivals. Of
imperial stock Was born Liu Bei, who with sworn brothers twain Made oath the dynasty should
be restored. These wandered homeless east and west for years, A petty force. But Destiny was
kind And led Liu Bei to Nanyang's rustic cot, Where lay Sleeping Dragon, he who Already that
the empire must be rent. Twice Liu Bei essayed in vain to see the sage Once more he went？
And then his fortune turned. Jingzhou fell to him, followed the River Lands, A fitting base
to build an empire on. Alas！ He ruled there only three short years, Then left his only son
to Zhuge Liang's care. Full nobly Zhuge Liang played protector's part, Unceasing strove to
win first place for Shu；But Fate forbade； one night for aye his star Went down behind the
rampart of the hills. Jiang Wei the strong inherited his task And struggled on for years.
But Zhong Hui and Deng Ai Attacked the Hans' last stronghold, and it fell. Five sons of Cao
Cao sat on the dragon throne, And Sima Yan snatched the court from Cao Huang. Before him
bowed the kings of Shu and Wu, Content to forfeit kingly power for life. All down the ages
rings the note of change, For fate so rules it； none escapes its sway. The three kingdoms
have vanished as a dream, The useless misery is ours to grieve. THE END[e]* [yip, yip, yip]
homeless east and west for years, A petty force. But Destiny was kind And led Liu Bei to
Nanyang's rustic cot, Where lay Sleeping Dragon, he who Already that the empire must be
rent. Twice Liu Bei essayed in vain to see the sage Once more he went？ And then his fortune
turned. Jingzhou fell to him, followed the River Lands, A fitting base to build an empire
on. Alas！
　　He ruled there only three short years, Then left his only son to Zhuge Liang's care.
Full nobly Zhuge Liang played protector's part, Unceasing strove to win first place for Shu
；But Fate forbade； one night for aye his star Went down behind the rampart of the hills.
Jiang Wei the strong inherited his task And struggled on for years. But Zhong Hui and Deng
Ai Attacked the Hans' last stronghold, and it fell. Five sons of Cao Cao sat on the dragon
throne, And Sima Yan snatched the court from Cao Huang. Before him bowed the kings of Shu
and Wu, Content to forfeit kingly power for life. All down the ages rings the note of
change, For fate so rules it； none escapes its sway. The three kingdoms have vanished as a
dream, The useless misery is ours to grieve.

Murders of princes

　　Raising his wine cup, and in a voice broken by emotion, he said, “Today's success is
the merit of the Imperial Guardian. I reGREt that he is not here to share our rejoicings.”
　　In Wu, Sun Xi, General of the Flying Cavalry, went away from the court and wailed,
facing the south.
　　“Alas, ye blue heavens！ What manner of man is this Sun Hao to yield thus the heritage
of his family, won by the sword of General Sun Jian the Martially Glorious in the brave days
that are past？”
　　Meantime the victors marched homeward, and Sun Hao went to Luoyang to present himself at
court. In his capacity of minister, he prostrated himself at the feet of the Emperor of the
Jin Dynasty in the Hall of Audience. He was allowed a seat.
　　“I set that seat for you long since,” said the Ruler of Jin.
　　“Thy servant also set a seat for Your Majesty in the south,” retorted Sun Hao.
　　the Ruler of Jin laughed loudly.
　　then Jia Chong turned to Sun Hao and said, “I hear, Sir, that when you were in the
south, they gouged out people's eyes and flayed their faces. What crimes were so punished？
”
　　“Murders of princes and malicious speech and disloyal conduct were so punished！”
　　Jia Chong was silenced, for he was ashamed.
　　Sun Hao was created Lord of Guiming. His sons and grandsons received minor ranks and
other grades were conferred upon his ministers who had followed him in his surrender. The
sons and grandsons of the late Prime Minister of Wu, Zhang Ti, who had perished in battle,
were given ranks. The victorious leader, Wang Jun, was rewarded with the title General Who
Upholds the State. And many other ranks were conferred to the Jin officers.
　　the three states now became one empire under the rule of Sima Yan of the Jin Dynasty.
That is domains under heaven, after a long period of union, tends to divide； after a long
period of division, tends to unite.

offer submission

Shidou has been a southern capital of China for successive dynasties. A beautiful
place, Shidou was considered a treasure by the emperors of Yuan Dynasty （Mongol rule）。
Located near Shanghai where the GREat River meets the East Sea, Shidou's modern name is
Nanjing.
　　But Wang Jun would not listen. Drawing his sword, he said, “I wish to capture Capital
Shidou*, and will not hear of anchoring.”
　　So he compelled the sailing master to continue. On the way Zhang Xiang, one of the
leaders of Wu, came to offer surrender.
　　“If you are in earnest, you will lead the way and help me,” said Wang Jun.
　　Zhang Xiang consented, returned to his own ship, and led the squadron. When he reached
the walls of Shidou, he called to the defenders to open the gates and allow the Jin army to
enter. The gates were opened.
　　When the Ruler of Wu heard that his enemies had actually entered the capital city, he
wished to put an end to his life, but his officers prevented this.
　　Secretary Hu Zong and Palace Officer Xue Rong said, “Your Majesty, why not imitate the
conduct of Liu Shan of Shu, now Duke of Anle？”
　　So Sun Hao no longer thought of death, but went to offer submission. He bound himself
and took a coffin with him. His officers followed him. He was graciously received, and the
Jin General Wang Jun himself loosened the bonds, and the coffin was burned. The vanquished
Ruler was treated with the ceremony due to a prince.
　　A poet of the Tang Dynasty wrote a few lines on this surrender：
　　[hip, hip, hip] Adown the stream ride storied warships tall；With massive chains some
seek to stop their way. But Jiangling's independence fades away, And soon “We yield” is
signaled from the wall. Full oft I think of bygone days and sigh, Along the stream, unmoved,
the old hills rest, While I am homeless on the earth's broad breast, Where grim old forts
stand gray beneath the sky. [yip, yip, yip]
　　therefore Wu was subdued and ceased to exist as a state. Its 4 regions, 43 counties, 313
districts, 5,230,000 families, 62,000 civil officers, 230,000 soldiers and military
officers, 23,000,000 inhabitants, its stores of grain and over five thousand large ships,
all fell booty to the victorious Jin Dynasty. In the women's quarters of the Palace were
found more than five thousand persons.
　　Proclamations were issued； treasuries and storehouses were sealed. Tao Jun's navy soon
melted away without striking a blow. Wang Jun was GREatly elated at his success. Sima Zhou,
Prince of Langye, and General Wang Rong also arrived and congratulated each other.
　　When Du Yu, the Commander-in-Chief, arrived, there were GREat feastings and rewards for
the soldiers. The granaries were opened and doles of grain issued to the people, so that
they also were glad of peace.
　　Only one city stood out——Jianping, under Governor Wu Yang. However, he too surrendered
when he heard the capital had fallen.
　　the tidings of all these successes reached Capital Luoyang just at the celebration of
the birthday of the Ruler of Jin, and the rejoicings and congratulations were redoubled. At
one of the banquets the Ruler of Jin did honor to the memory of the late Yang Hu.

chinese story - 1 4

understand nothing. You are bent upon winning some sort of glory at the expense of our
soldiers' lives. Death would be too good for you！”
　　“Why wrangle？” said Sima Yan. “Zhang Hua aGREes with me, and he knows my wishes.”
　　Just at this moment came a memorial from the leader Du Yu also recommending advance,
whereupon the Ruler of Jin decided that the army should go on.
　　the royal mandate duly reached the camp of Wang Jun, and the Jin navy went out to the
attack in GREat pomp. The soldiers of Wu made no defense, but surrendered at once.
　　When Sun Hao, the Ruler of Wu, heard his armies had surrendered thus, he turned pale,
and his courtiers said, “What is to be done？ Here the northern army comes nearer every day
and our troops just give in.”
　　“But why do they not fight？” said Sun Hao.
　　the courtiers replied, “The one evil of today is Eunuch Cen Hun. Slay him, and we
ourselves will go out and fight to the death！”
　　“How can a eunuch harm a state？” cried Sun Hao.
　　“Have we not seen what Huang Hao did in Shu？” shouted the courtiers in chorus.
　　Moved by sudden fury, the courtiers rushed into the Palace, found the wretched object of
their hate and slew him, and even feeding on his palpitating flesh.
　　then Tao Jun said, “All my ships are small, but give me large vessels and I will place
thereon twenty thousand marines and go forth to fight. I can defeat the enemy.”
　　His request was granted, and the royal guards were sent up the river to join battle,
while another naval force went down stream, led by Leader of the Van Zhang Xiang. But a
heavy gale came on. The flags were blown down and lay over in the ships, and the marines
would not embark. They scattered leaving their leader with only a few score men.
　　Wang Jun, the leader of Jin, set sail and went down the river.
　　After passing Three Mountains, the sailing master of his ship said, “The gale is too
strong for the fleet to go on. Let us anchor till the storm has moderated.”

chinese story- 13

　　“We all know that the land is doomed,” replied Zhang Ti. “But if we make no defense,
and no one dies for his country, shall we not be shamed？”
　　Zhuge Xing left, weeping； and Zhang Ti went with Shen Zong to the army. The invaders
soon arrived, and the Jin General Zhou Zhi was the first to break into the camp. Zhang Ti
resisted stubbornly, but was soon slain in a melee, and Shen Zong was killed by Zhou Zhi.
The army of Wu was defeated and scattered.
　　[hip, hip, hip] Jin's army banners waved on Bashan Mountains And trusty Zhang Ti in
Jiangling fighting died；He accepted not that the kingly grace was spent, He rather chose to
die than shame his side. [yip, yip, yip]
　　the armies of Jin conquered at Niuzhu and penetrated deeply into the country of Wu. From
his camp Wang Jun sent a report of his victory to Luoyang, and Sima Yan was pleased.
　　But Jia Chong again opposed further fighting, saying, “The armies have been long
absent, and the soldiers will suffer from the unhealthiness of the southern country. It
would be well to call them home.”
　　Zhang Hua spoke against this course, saying, “the Jin army has reached the very home
and center of the enemy. Soon Wu courage will fail, and the Ruler of Wu himself will be our
prisoner. To recall the army now would be to waste the efforts already made.”
　　the Ruler of Jin inclined to neither side.