you know how to write, if you will write a letter now I will take it for you to Funchow, and inquire for your husband and son, and dare say I shall find them out. In thrice ten days at the longest, or perhaps in half a month, I warrant you, you will hear of their return; and you shall neither bear the ill-treatment of your sister; nor support your sorrowful head with your hand, whilst grinding at the mill; nor come to draw water at this well; nor longer endure cold and grief." So saying, he ordered his people to supply her with the four precious implements of writing.[1] She made a bow, profound as the sea; and for a moment ceased to weep. Having taken up the pencil, her tears again flowed; and she wrote;—"Oh my husband, our separation was easily effected; but how difficult has it been to bring us again together. Since we parted at the melon-gardens, thousands of clouds and myriads of hills have intervened. Husband, you have staid at Funchow seeking worldly honors; I alas, have been here, by the side of this well, shedding rivers of tears. Hasten in three days to return with your son—if you delay I shall have entered the barred gates of hades, and be among the shades! For every word I write, a thousand tears flow. Husband! let not an answer be a matter of indifference." Having finished the letter, she closed it carefully, and sprinkled the envelope with her tears.
The young officer took the letter, and secretly wiped away the tear which had stolen upon the side of his cheek. He then said; "Draw your water and go home. I pity you being so thinly clad in the midst of this intense cold. Ere long you will meet with your kindred again. Trust to me and cease from your sorrow."
So saying, he whipped his horse and went off at a gallop; but often looked back ere he was out of sight. The woman bowed to the officer; drew the water; and returned so light of foot as scarcely to touch the snow; saying to herself—"May he soon find out those I seek—may my anxious gazing on the azure sky in earnest expectation, soon be terminated. Oh my husband and son! How do I sigh for you! When shall I be rescued from my distress! When I shall see my husband and son—then my countenance will expand!"
That young officer was her son. Her husband Lew-che-yuen became the king of Tsin, and raised the afflicted snow-smitten water-carrier, San-neang, to be the partner of his throne. He became the Hwang-te, the great emperor of the How-han dynasty, and received many good lessons from the empress, who had learned wisdom in the school of affliction.
- ↑ These 'four precious implements' are paper, pencil, ink, and a stone on which to rub the ink; these the Chinese call woo-kea paou, 'invaluable gems.'
