The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CHINESE LEGEND WITH MORAL

THIS RICH MAN HAD FEAST EVERY DAY--AND SO
MUCH WASTE, JUST THROW FOOD AWAY. THIS POOR
MONK CAME IN TO BEG FOR FOOD AND THEY DIDN'T
GIVE ANY TO HIM. BUT HE HAD ENOUGH BY JUST
GATHERING WHAT THEY THREW OUT--EVEN MORE THAN
HE NEEDED. SO, HE DRIED LEFT-OVER RICE IN SUN, AND
STORED IT. SOMETIMES LATER THIS RICH MAN
BECOMES POOR AND HE TURNS INTO BEGGAR. SO MONK
TOOK RICE AND SOAKED IT IN WATER, RECOOKED IT
AND SERVED TO THIS MAN. THIS MAN THANKED THE
MONK. THE MONK TOLD HIM THERE WAS NO NEED FOR
THANKING HIM BECAUSE WHAT HE ATE BELONGED TO
HIMSELF.
MORAL: DON'T LIVE WASTEFUL LIFE. WHENEVER YOU
CAN HELP OTHERS, DO IT. YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN
IN TURN, YOU WILL NEED HELP (BUDDHISM).
IMPORTANT IN CHINA--POSITION IS INTANGIBLE. THE
WORLD TURNS. WE CAN'T BE SURE WE CAN MAINTAIN
WHAT HE HAVE--ONE DAY RICH, NEXT DAY POOR.
THE GOOD YOU DO TODAY WILL BE RESTORED FOR
FUTURE.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Date learned: 08-10-1968