"This, of course,
to meet regularly as a group
10
is the very best of reasons for us all
way I say perhaps as a family? It
certainly helps to dispel the misunderstandings between us arising
from biased opinions which, I suspect, often stem from inaccurate and
sensational reports. Of course we have no control over external opinion
'but we can at least ensure that within our family of friends we
understand the true facts.
"I will therefore endeavour to give you the facts as
I see them from the Hong Kong perspective. Firstly, I need not
emphasise that it is a very happy experience for me to come from
that tiny place halfway across the world and find myself in the
company of so many of my personal friends and friends of Hong Kong.
And the occasion is appropriate for it is to celebrate the Dragon
Boat Festival, an important annual happening for the Chinese people.
"The story behind the festival is worth mentioning because
it is appropriate to people who seek wisdom and understanding. It
occurred in the kingdom of Ch'u, several centuries before the birth
of Christ, where a wise official named Wat Yuan was principal
adviser to and confidante of the king. In addition to being honest
and wise, Wat Yuan was also a poet of great merit.
However, jealous
courtiers continually conspired to bring about his downfall but the
honesty and advice of Wat Yuan prevailed and the king maintained his
respect and confidence in him.
"However, the king embarked on a particularly disastrous
war and Wat Yuan was moved to write his master a beautiful poem. Sadly,
the courtiers thought the poem was critical of the venture. Their view
prevailed and the king sent Wat Yuan into exile. Feeling he could make
no further contribution at court, and saddened by the self-seeking ways
of his enemies at court, he threw himself into a great river and drowned.
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