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

The Precious Scroll of Good-in-Talent and Dragon Girl 177
then you may eat me and I will die without regret.’’ The snake-sprite
said: ‘‘Little monk, there’s no need for me to fear that you will escape
to heaven. We’ll do as you say. After we have asked two more
people, I will eat you anyhow.’’ As Good-in-Talent was walking on,
he was weeping—
Our little Good-in-Talent was frightened in his heart,
While the snake-sprite followed him, whipping her tail.
He had only thought to go home and have some fun,
Never thinking that midway he’d be eaten by a snake.
From a distance they saw a man coming their way;
When he got closer, he turned out to be a Daoist priest.
‘‘Such a Daoist priest must of course know principle,
And clearly understand the causes of favor and feud.’’
Awash in tears he addressed him and asked the question:
‘‘Is it a common habit that a favor is repaid by a favor?
‘‘My dear priest, please allow this monk to ask you a question. Is it
the way of the world to repay a favor with a favor, or to repay a
favor with a feud?’’ The Daoist priest replied: ‘‘It is the way of the
world to repay a favor with a feud; there is nobody who repays a
favor with a favor.’’ When the snake-sprite heard this, her joy was
beyond words: ‘‘My dear priest, you are so right! You little monk,
quickly let me eat you!’’ ‘‘We have asked only two people, so how is
it you again want to eat me?’’ The snake-sprite said: ‘‘Four does not
block Six. You have no idea how unbearable my hunger is! You are
someone who has left the family; you should show a little more
compassion! You must have heard that in ancient times the Buddha
Śākyamuni sacrificed his body to feed a tiger and that he cut off his
flesh to feed an eagle!’’ Good-in-Talent said: ‘‘Well, I am not the old
Buddha who sacrificed his body to feed a tiger and cut off his flesh
to feed an eagle. As long as we have not asked three people, I am
not giving up hope. That Great Strength King, the Golden Buffalo
Astral Official, also provided me with an explanation, so, Daoist
priest, you should also provide me with an explanation of why you
say that a favor is repaid by a feud, so that I may die in peace.’’
Good-in-Talent asked the Daoist priest the question:
‘‘What is the reason that a favor is not repaid by a favor?