Directory_and_Chronicle_1845 — Page 822

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He fanned the Pillow and cooled the Mat.

In the Han dynasty lived Hwang Hiáng, who when only nine years old, lost his mother, whom he loved so ardently and remembered so strongly, that all the villagers praised his filial duty. He was employ- ed in the severest toil, and served his father with entire obedience. In summer, when the weather was warm, he fanned and cooled his father's pillow and bed; and in winter, when it was cold and chilly, with his body he warmed the coverlet and mat. The magistrate sent him an honorary banner as a mark of distinction.

The Gushing Fountain, and the Frisking Carp.

In the Han dynasty lived Kiang She, who served his mother with perfect obedience; and his wife Pang also fulfilled her mother-in- law's commands without the least reluctance. The old lady loved to drink of the water from the river, distant from the cottage six or seven le, and Pang was in the habit of going stealthily after it and handing it to her. She was also fond of carp, and when it was obtained, deeming herself not able to consume alone what her children with great toil and trouble continually prepared for her, usually invited some of the neighbors to feast with her. By the side of the cottage there suddenly gushed out a fountain, the taste of whose waters was like that of the river; and which daily produced two living fishes. These were taken out by Kiang She and prepared for his mother.

He carved Wood and served his Parents.

DURING the Han dynasty lived Ting Lan, whose parents both died when he was young, bdfore he could obey and support them, and he reflected that for all the trouble and anxiety he had caused them, no recompense had yet been given. He then carved wooden images of his parents, and served them as if they had been alive. For a long time his wife would not reverence them; but one day, taking a bod- kin, she in derision pricked their fingers. Blood immediately flowed from the wound; and seeing Ting coming, the images wept. He ex- amined into the circumstances, and forthwith divorced his wife.

For his mother's Sake he buried his Child.

In the days of the Han dynasty lived Koh Keu, who was very poor. He had one child three years old; and such was his poverty that his mother usually divided her portion of food with this little one. Koh says to his wife, "We are so poor that our mother cannot be support- ed, for the child divides with her the portion of food that belongs to her. Why not bury this child? Another child may be born to us,

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