Page:Chinese Fables and Folk Stories.djvu/133

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THE FA-NIEN-TS'ING AND THE MÖN-TIEN-SING
129

while." He thought for a few days and said, "Where shall I go to find rest?" Then he spoke to Tsze-Lu, Yen-Yuen, and Tsze-Kong, his faithful pupils, saying, "I have been thinking that I would now rest for three moons and visit the Tai-San Mountain, but I do not wish to go alone. I should like you to go with me. Where on the mountain is the best place, do you think?"

"On the southwest side where the sun shines warm and the wind does not blow cold," answered Tsze-Kong. And Tsze-Lu, Tsze-Kong, and Yen-Yuen went to their own rooms and planned the journey.

After ten days Confucius and his pupils went to the Tai-San Mountain to rest for the three moons; but even there his pupils studied, for they took their books with them.

As Confucius walked on the Tai-San Mountain he said, "How great and beautiful are the things made by the Creator; even the trees, bushes, and flowers are beyond man's understanding." Then he went to the temple and saw the images of honored men, and when he looked at the face of Dai-Yee, the Just, he said, "You are very great. We remember and honor you, and other generations yet to come will remember and honor you."

When he had walked another half-mile, he grew tiredChinese Fables—9