Ultimate Realization: About Friendship

Author: Gu Yue Xuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-02
Features: Once, there was a righteous warrior who traveled the world and made friends like fish in a river. Before his death, he told his son, "Don't think that I've made many friends since childhood. In my entire life, I've only had one and a half friends." His son was puzzled. His father leaned close to his ear and whispered something, then said, "Go and meet my one and a half friends as I instructed, and you will understand the essence of friendship."
The son first went to the "one friend" his father had in mind. He said, "I am the son of someone you know, and I am being chased by the imperial court. In desperation, I have sought refuge with you, hoping you will save me!" The man heard this and, without hesitation, quickly called his own son, ordering him to take off his clothes and put them on the "imperial fugitive" he didn't know, while making his own son wear the "imperial fugitive's" clothes. The son understood: In your moment of life or death, the person who stands by you with all their heart, even at the cost of sacrificing their own flesh and blood to save you, can be called your true friend.
The son then went to the "half friend" his father had mentioned. He bowed and pleaded, repeating the same request. The "half friend" listened and said to the "imperial fugitive" before him, "Child, I can't save you in this matter. I will give you enough money to run far and fast. I promise I won't expose you." The son understood: In your time of hardship, the person who protects themselves first, avoids kicking you when you're down, and does no harm to you, can be called your half friend.
The stories collected in this book are touching tales of friendship. There are no more moving stories of friendship in the world than these!