Ultimate Realization -- About Friendship

Author: Gu Yue Xuan Compiler
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: There was once a righteous warrior who traveled the world and made friends like fish in the 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 then 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 naturally understand the essence of friendship."
The son first went to the "one friend" his father had mentioned. He said, "I am the son of so-and-so, and I am now being chased by the imperial court. In desperation, I have sought refuge with you, hoping you will rescue me!" The man heard this and, without hesitation, quickly called his own son, ordering him to quickly change clothes with 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 can stand 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 and, bowing respectfully, repeated the same plea. The "half friend" heard this and said to the "imperial fugitive" before him, "Child, I cannot save you in this matter. I will give you enough money to run far away and escape quickly. I promise I won't expose you." The son understood: In your time of hardship, the person who can protect themselves, avoid the pitfall, and not take advantage of your misfortune to harm 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!