Two Precious Scroll Narratives of Guanyin and Her ... - Khamkoo

The Precious Scroll of Good-in-Talent and Dragon Girl 165
‘‘I don’t want to study the Books, I’m too lazy to make the effort.
It’s not my wish to become an official or to become an officer,
But to search for my roots by studying the Way of the immortals!’’
When his parents heard him talk like this, they were both pleased
and startled. They were pleased that a little boy of three could be
so supernaturally intelligent, but they were startled because they
feared that he might not grow up to be the son and heir of the
Chen family. But after all, since he was only a toddler whose understanding
had not yet developed, for now they could leisurely teach
and guide him, and later decide what to do.
Alas, when Chen Lian was five years old, Lady Han fell ill, and
he felt completely disconsolate. When her disease had progressed
beyond cure and she suddenly died, the sweet five-year-old child
tossed and turned without relief, and filled with grief, he cried out
piteously: ‘‘Oh, my dear mother!
Since my birth I have never left mother for even half an instant,
Whenever my mother went here or there, I would rush forward.
My mother loved me like a treasured jewel, and I followed her,
Holding her hand or clutching her gown, wherever she went.
Not for even an hour or a minute did I leave my mother’s side,
But today you abandon your son to sleep all alone by himself.
I keep on asking: My mother, where you are going?
It is only right that your child should accompany you.
I am happy to follow you whether in life or in death,
But it is too pitiable to brusquely abandon your child.
The weeping cuckoo spits out blood as it cries, and
Each and every branch is dyed red by its tears of blood.
My mother, you should have taken me along with you,
Why am I left to imitate the cuckoo with every cry?’’
Chen Lian continued weeping in this most heartrending way,
Each and every word so mournful it shook and moved Heaven.
The grand historian could not stop himself from crying,
Hastily he cradled his sweet son in his arms, called him darling.
Moved to grief because the lady had abandoned the boy,
He was even more saddened seeing the boy weeping so piteously.
His grieving heart was confronted with more to add to his grief.
As he grieved and watched his sweet son, his grief grew greater.