The Most Beautiful Smile

I had to hold back my tears when I first heard this story; I find it quite touching.
If you are more proficient in Chinese, please skip my poor translation and view the original, Chinese version : http://www.dfg.hk/gb/jtjy/qzp/38-zuimei.htm

Here's my simple translation of the story :

On 8 Mar 2008, at the TV programme, 'China Mothers', the list of China's ten most outstanding mothers was announced. The stories of these mothers were also shared and the utmost motherly virtues of Xiong Li touched the hearts of all in China.

Xiong Li was from XianTaoShi in the province of Hubei and was a performer of the local Huagu folk art. She was then 28 years old. On the Dec of 2006, she was six months pregnant and was travelling home after a performance. Unfortunately, a terrible accident happened. A cargo truck, loaded with high temperature alkali collided violently with the passenger vehicle which Xiong Li was travelling in. The heavy impact from the collision caused the alkali to spurt from the cargo truck and Xiong Li's whole body was splashed with the dangerous alkali.

During the collision, Xiong Li had sub-consciously used both her hands to hold her abdomen area tightly. Her face, back and four limbs suffered from serious burns and there was a bone fracture in her right leg. She suffered the worst injury among all passengers. When the medical team arrived and gently moved away both her hands, they found a distinct mark in the shape of two palms on the abdomen area where no signs of burn was observed.

After examination by medical professionals, they concluded that substantial amount of antibiotics were required to control the ensuing infection and skin grafting were also necessary for Xiong Li's treatment. In this way, her looks might recover and she might be able to resume her performance in the future. However, the use of antibiotics and anaesthetic would cause a miscarriage. Xiong Li's family members decided to save the adult first. After Xiong Li regained her consciousness, she knew of her family's decision and with tears in her eyes, she pleaded, "I don't want to use medicines, I can't bear to lose my child!"

From that day onwards, in the period of the subsequent 37 days and nights, and without the use of any anaesthetic, Xiong Li suffered great pain that was beyond description. The doctors carried out conservative treatment methods that would not yield any side effects. In addition, they also came up with a plan to protect the baby. In the first operation, the doctors would use the surgery knife to slice away her burnt, decaying skin in small pieces. When the chief doctor asked her if she wanted the anaesthetic, she shook her head and replied, "As long I do not die of pain on the surgical bed, just let it pain."

During that night of operation, under extreme degree of excruciating pains, Xiong Li strongly used her teeth to hold onto the pillow. She bit till her lips started to bleed. Looking at the pain-killer medicine that was easily within her reach, her defense against the pain almost crumble. Xiong Li's hushand was by her side and could no longer bear to watch her. He pleaded with the doctor to give her the pain-killer jab. Suddenly, there seem to be an outburst of energy connecting mother and the unborn child, and Xiong Li vigorously shook her head to refuse the jab.

Without the use of medicine, the multiple small and big wounds on Xiong Li's body started to fester and deteriorate, the wound on her leg had even deepened to the bone area. Whenever the nurse came to nurse her wounds, she had to force herself to hold back her tears.

At the end of Jan 2007, Xiong Li suffered from high fever of 40 Degrees Celcius and the baby's heart beat quickened. The doctors conducted an emergency examination of her condition and came up with a plan for induced birth. On 2nd Feb, Xiong Li smoothly gave birth to a 2.7 kg child. That day was exactly 37 days after Xiong Li was warded to the hospital for serious burns.

After giving birth, Xiong Li received extensive skin grafting treatment and her condition was under control. However, as a result of serious infections, the wounds left an indelible mark on her face.

On the year of 2007, Xiong Li received the title of "Ten Most Outstanding Mothers who Touched the Hearts of Hubei Province".

A student from Wuhan University was deeply touched. In the student's letter to Xiong Li, it said, "The merciless accident had presented you with a totally different kind of stage. Previously, you were a shinning star on stage. After the accident, fate had mercilessly forced you into the dark corners of life. You have made the choice of facing the fate of disfigurement in order to play the Greatest role in the stage of life - the role of a Mother."

The relationship between mother and child is a deep one. The coming of a new life in a mother's body signals the start of a life journey between two closely-knitted hearts. Nurturing this new and tender life is a mother's Heavenly duty. How can we bear to simply abandon it with all sorts of reasons? Furthermore, there are many young mothers who do things impulsively, or due to the concerns of looks and figures, or consider it troublesome to bring up a child; have eventually chosen abortion. After reading Xiong Li's story, we should seriously reflect and exercise the greatest caution in our deeds.

The greatest career belongs to that of a mother. Great sages, virtuous and wise men and women in History are the result of virtuous mothers who play an important role in the nurturing and education of their child. Hence, mothers contribute greatly to the peace and stability of the nation. The accomplishment and success of all other careers that women undertake are not able to replace their role and accomplishment in nurturing their child. At the juncture between life and death, Xiong Li had sub-consciously used her hands to shielf her abdomen area instead of her face. From that moment onwards, she persisted in holding onto her initial decision and choice of keeping her baby instead of returning to the stage as a performer.

On one hand, we see many career-minded women going after careers in our modern times. On the other hand, we see Xiong Li, using her virtuous love to carry out the decision and choice that had been made by mothers since ancient times and mothers in the future. Although she had lost her good looks, her haggard and weary face still showed signs of loving smile when she looked at her dear baby. Radiance of pure motherly virtues emitted from her smile, that was indeed the most beautiful smile on Earth!

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Original Chinese version : http://www.dfg.hk/gb/jtjy/qzp/38-zuimei.htm

News link : http://news.sina.com.cn/s/p/2007-05-18/150613020805.shtml

Tingshi's Initial Wish

Here is my summarized and translated version of the story contained in the Chinese Text Book of Virtues, Book three, Chapter on Trust( 信). Please pardon my translation errors and let me know if you spot any errors.

Liu Tingshi lived during the Song dynasty. Before achieving the title of Jing Shi (进士, this is equivalent to the education level of doctorate in our modern times), he had already made plans to marry a young lady from his home town. At that time, the betrothal gifts had not been given yet. After Liu Tingshi attained the title of Jin Shi, the young lady contracted a illness and became blind. Furthermore, the lady's family became very poor and dare not bring up the marriage matter to Liu Tingshi. Somebody advised Liu Tingshi to marry the young lady's little sister who was not blind. He smiled and replied, "At that time, I have already decided to take her as my wife. How can I go against my initial wish?" Eventually, he married the blind lady who later bore him several sons. After some time, the blind lady passed away and Liu Tingshi never remarry.

The famous scholar, Su Shi (苏轼, his literary name is 苏东坡), asked him, "Grief arises from love and love arises from looks. Where does the love for your wife arise from?" Liu Tingshi replied, "I only know that I had lost my wife." Later, Liu Tingshi retired to a place at Lushan (庐山) and enjoyed longevity, living till a very old age.

Xu Zhijing commented that in ancient times, there were people who questioned one who enjoyed longevity to find out the cause of longevity. The reply was that having an ugly wife was the reason for longevity. Hence, having an ugly wife was to be seen as a blessing and not someone whom one disliked. Moreover, Tingshi did not go against his initial wish of marrying the young lady even though she had become blind. That was an act of benevolence and the benevolent ones enjoyed longevity. Shu Shi, of course knew that and used Liu Tingshi as a good example to educate others and future generations by posing him the question concerning love and looks.

Original Chinese story available HERE 《德育课本》,三集卷四,《二十四信》, 编号 : dykb3-04, story number 18.

The Two Righteousness At Zhu Ya

Here is my summarized and translated version of the story contained in the Chinese Text Book of Virtues, Book two, Chapter on Righteousness( 义). Please pardon my translation errors and let me know if you spot any errors.

During the Han Dynasty in the region of Zhu Ya, there was a county magistrate who passed away. His second wife, with her nine year old son and the daughter of his first wife returned to Zhu Ya to attend to his funeral. The daughter of the magistrate's first wife was called Chu and she was thirteen years old.

During that time, there was strict laws against the possession of pearls. Those who brought in pearls faced the death penalty. Chu's stepmother had a pearl chain which she usually wore at her wrist. Before reaching Zhu Ya's customs, she had removed her pearl chain and threw it away. Without she and Chu noticing, her son went to pick up the pearl chain and put it into her small container.

At Zhu Ya, the custom officers searched and found the pearl chain in the mother's container. They questioned the three of them, "Who should be punished?" Chu immediately replied, "My mum had already thrown away the pearl chain, I secretly went to pick it up and hide it in the container. I should be punished!" Chu's stepmother went on, "I'm the one who love the pearl chain so I should be the one to be punished!" Both stepmother and daughter, with tears flowing down their cheeks, pleaded to be the one to face the death penalty. The custom official greatly admired and respect their righteousness. He was willing to take their place to be punished. He threw away the pearl chain and sent them home.

Original Chinese story available HERE 《德育课本》,二集卷六,《二十四义》, 编号 : dykb2-06, story number 6.

Zhu Chong gave away his calf

Here is my simple translated version of the story contained in the Chinese Text Book of Virtues, Book one, Chapter on Shame. Please pardon my translation errors and let me know if you spot any errors.
During the Jin Dynasty, there was this man named Zhu Chong who love to read. He was very poor and farmed. One day, his neighbour lost a calf. He mistook Zhu Cong's calf as his lost one and brought it home. The lost calf was later found in the forest. The owner was ashamed of his impulsive deed and brought Zhu Chong's calf back to him. However, Zhu Chong declined to accept the calf.
On several occasions, an ox intruded into Zhu Chong's farm and stepped on his crops. Zhu Cong did not show any signs of anger and even brought out forage to feed the intruding ox. Knowing this, the ox's owner felt ashamed and from that time onwards, managed his ox well so that it would not intrude into other people's farm.
After some time, the court issued an order to summon Zhu Chong to be a court official. Zhu Chong declined on reason of illness and later escaped to the mountains. The remote mountains where he dwelt was near the border of another country. The people of that remote region regarded him as a lord.
Original Chinese story available HERE 《德育课本》,初集卷一,《二十四耻》, 编号 : dykb1-08, story number 12).

Li Zhong and the Earthquake

Here is my simple translated version of the story contained in the Chinese Text Book of Virtues, Book one, Chapter on Filial Piety. Please pardon my translation errors and let me know if you spot any errors.
During the Yuan Dynasty, there was a filial son by the name of Li Zhong who lived in the Jin Ning area. Li Zhong's father passed away when he was very young and he lived together with his mother. He was a very dutiful and filial son, taking good care of his mother. In the seventh year of 'Da De' at the month of August, a very big earthquake occurred. During the earthquake, a mountain moved and caused the collapse of many houses. The number of houses destroyed or buried numbered more than ten thousand and countless people died. Strangely, when the mountain moved to some distance near Li Zhong's house, it splitted into two and moved past the house, leaving the house intact. After moving a little distance away from Li Zhong's house, the splitted mountain merged again. In that region, only Li Zhong's house was not damaged by the earthquake.
Earthquake that resulted in the movement of mountain was a terrible calamity and the resulting affected area was huge. Only the house of one with utmost filial piety survived the quake with no damage. There are many other ancient stories of filial piety which showed filial sons and daughters surviving unharm from natural calamities and epidemic.
Original Chinese story available HERE 《德育课本》,初集卷一,《二十四孝》, 编号 : dykb1-01, story number 23).

General Yang's Honesty

Here is my summarized and translated version of the story contained in the Chinese Text Book of Virtues, Book one, Chapter on Trust and Credibility ( 信 ). Please pardon my translation errors and let me know if you spot any errors.

During the Jin dynasty ( 晋朝 ), there was a general with the surname of Yang, name Hu and given name Shuzi (see note*). He brought his troops to defend the area of Xiangyang. This area borderd the country of Wu ( 吴国 ) and General Yang's troops often clashed with Wu's army which was led by General Lu Kang. Whenever the army from both sides of the border fought, they must first fixed a date for the battle. Moreover, both sides did not make any sneak attack. Whenever the advisors in General Yang's army wanted to propose any scheming attack plans, General Yang would give them a lot of strong wine to drink so that they could not elaborate on their devious plans. Occasionally General Lu Kang would send General Yang some wine to drink. General Yang would drink those wine without any suspicion. When General Lu Kang fell ill, General Yang sent him some medicines and he took the medicines immediately. Others tried to dissuade General Lu Kang from taking the medicines and he said, "How can there be a Yang Shuzi that poison people?"

When the enemy soldiers heard of General Yang's death, they cried for him. Throughout history, there was only General Yang whose trust and credibility had moved the enemies.

* note : In Ancient China, a person's name was made up of three parts, surname ( 姓 ), name ( 名 ) and given name ( 字 ). Before a person reached adulthood, everyone could call him by his name ( 名 ). A man went through a ceremony ( 冠礼 ) at the age of twenty to signify that he had reached adulthood. After that ceremony, it was disrespectful to call him by his name ( 名 ) . His peers, brothers, classmates and friends would then give him a given name ( 字 ). From that time onwards, everyone would call him by his given name ( 字 ) instead of name ( 名 ). Only his parents and teachers could call him by his name ( 名 ).

Original Chinese story available HERE 《德育课本》,初集卷四,《二十四信》, 编号 : dykb1-04, story number 12).

The Red Bud Tree

Here is my summarized and translated version of the story contained in the Chinese Text Book of Virtues, Book one, Chapter on Fraternal Love and Respect. Please pardon my translation errors and let me know if you spot any errors.

During the Sui dynasty, there was a family of three brothers who lived together. Tian Zhen was the eldest, followed by Tian Qing and Tian Guang. They had decided to go separate ways and agreed to split the money and property in the house evenly among them. However, there was this blooming red bud tree which grew in front of the house. Who should it belong to? Finally it was decided that the tree would also be splitted evenly to three parts. Before they were going to chop the tree, they were surprised to discover that it had suddenly withered. The eldest brother, Tian Zhen, sighed and said, "The branches of the tree actually arose from the same trunk and roots. The moment it heard that it was going to be splitted, it became wan and withered. Looks like we humans can't even be compared to the trees." He was very much saddened by this. Eventually, the three brothers gave up the idea of going separate ways and continued living together, taking even greater care of one another. Strangely the red bud tree started to thrive and bloom again like in the past.

Li Wen Geng commented that before they had the idea of going separate ways, the three brothers had lived in harmony for quite some time and the red bud tree thrived in the harmonious environment. The action of splitting the family property hurt the harmonious environment in the house and the tree withered although it did not hear about the brothers' decision to split the tree. After the brothers returned to living in harmony, the tree again thrived, showing that it thrived under harmonious environment.

Original Chinese story available HERE 《德育课本》,初集卷二,《二十四悌》, 编号 : dykb1-02, story number 10).

The Wit and Kindness of Lady Zhan

Here is my simple translated version of the story contained in the Chinese Text Book of Virtues, Book two, Chapter on Filial Piety. Please pardon my translation errors and let me know if you spot any errors.

During the Song dynasty, there was this young lady with the surname of Zhan who lived in the Wuhu area. Since young, she followed the ways of her father, reading the classics and books of learning. Every night, she recited the classic, <<烈女传>> (Biographies of Exemplary Women) several times before retiring for the night. She had also copied down the classic once.

When she was of age seventeen, robbers attacked the city of Wuhu and successfully took control of it. Both her father and elder brother were captured and the robbers were about to kill them. The young lady pleaded with the robbers, crying and begging them, "Please! Although I'm poor and ugly, I'm very willing to follow all of you, in exchange for the life of my father and brother." The robbers consented. She then waved to her father and brother, telling them, "Leave quickly, do not think of me and worry about me, I feel contented to follow the Generals." After that, she left with the robbers. After walking several miles, they came to a bridge east of the city. On the bridge, the young lady jumped into the waters below and was drowned. Many of the robbers were stupefied by the sight.

Lu Kun commended on the virtues of this lady. Her wit and submissive words during the moment of crisis had saved the life of her father and brother. If they were to put up a resistance and condemned the robbers, the whole family would have perished.

Original Chinese story available HERE 《德育课本》,二集卷一,《二十四孝》, 编号 : dykb2-01, story number 12).

The King and His Hawk

The King and His Hawk is a short story that I have read in the Book of Virtues. In the story, the King (Genghis Khan, the Great Mongolian warrior) learnt that one should not do anything when in anger.

You can read this short story on-line HERE.

There is this Chinese saying that says, "Do not give things/give consent/agree/promise in the midst of great joy. Do not reply letter in the midst of anger. " Anger and great joy are two emotional states that may cause one to do things impulsively, causing much regret later on. This is the actual Chinese saying :

盛喜中勿许人物。盛怒中勿答人书。This saying is contained in the classic << 格言联璧 >>. Click HERE to view the words in this classic.