Wisdom Chapter - Famous Wisdom Stories

Author: Jiao Zhenfang et al
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1998-06-01
Features: Yu Shun was a leader in the primitive society of China, and there is an exciting legend about him. Shun was the tenth-generation great-grandson of the Yellow Emperor, but starting from the fourth generation, Jun Chan and his descendants were commoners, living ordinary lives. He grew up in Zan Ji Zhou (now Hebei and Henan). In his childhood, Shun learned a wide range of skills: tilling the fields at the foot of the lush Lishan Mountain; fishing in the Leize Lake, where the sky and water were vast and clear; making pottery by the side of the Yellow River, with its、、; and crafting wooden utensils in Shouqiu, a bustling and prosperous place. He was not afraid of hard labor and devoted himself to his studies, learning and doing things faster and better than others. However, his father, mother, and younger brother hated him and wanted to kill him. Shun's father was Gu Souchou, a blind man. His mother passed away early, so his father remarried and had a younger brother named Xiang. This stepmother was quite formidable! Her own son Xiang didn't matter if he did wrong, but Shun would be beaten if he made even the slightest mistake. Xiang was arrogant and often bullied Shun, taking advantage of his mother. His father, who feared his wife, also joined in scolding and tormenting Shun. However, Shun adhered to the proper conduct of a son. He believed, "It is right for my father to scold me because he is my father; and it is right for my mother to hit me because she is my mother. A son should not defy his elders; my younger brother is unreasonable, and I should let him be—he is young and ignorant." Shun always made excuses for them, but his constant humility was misunderstood as being easily bullied. The three of them grew to hate Shun even more, even plotting to kill him. Shun understood his situation but could not break the rules of filial piety. At the same time, he had to stay alert to prevent unexpected dangers. As a result, whenever they tried to kill him, they had no excuse, and whenever they called him to serve them, he came immediately. Frustrated by their repeated failures, Shun's father, mother, and younger brother planned to eliminate him. Just then, Yao gave his two daughters in marriage to Shun. Due to his diligence and competence, he acquired considerable wealth and a city within three years. This only made Xiang more jealous, and he repeatedly pressured his father to find a way to kill Shun and seize his wealth and the two beautiful wives. One day, Shun was busy at home when his father, Gu Souchou, called him: "Shun'er, I've just finished building a house. Can you help me paint the rafters?" Without hesitation, Shun went to help. The house was very high, and around it, there were piles of dry firewood for some reason. Shun put on two straw hats and climbed up. While working, he suddenly noticed flames and thick smoke beneath his feet, realizing someone had set fire to the place. He quickly looked for a ladder but found it missing. When he called his father, there was no reply. "I see! Alas, Father! Why do you treat me this way? Is there something wrong with me as a son?" By then, the fire had reached the roof, and it was about to collapse. Shun quickly grabbed the two straw hats. Seeing a pile of unburned firewood nearby, he held one hat in each hand and jumped down. Shun didn't complain or show any resentment. He calmly returned home as if nothing had happened. Gu Souchou thought he had nothing to worry about.