Returning Home

Much too young
I left my family
and now I return, as an old man:

How thin my hair on my head!
Even though I have still
my native accent,
unknown children meet me,
smile, and ask:

Where are you from, stranger?

Ho-Tche-Chang

Chinese Wisdom:

The Injured Bird

Yesterday, I went up into the mountains, where I saw a small boy sitting at the side of the road. He was holding a little bird with an injured wing. Walking up to him, I said “Young fellow, you should let the injured bird go.
”He shook his head and said “No! I have just picked it up and I’m going to take care of it.” He stood up and I saw that the boy was crippled.
At that moment, I suddenly realized that a person who has been ill understands better than others the pain of an injury. This boy would know best how to care for the little bird.

Translation by Fr. Joe Matteucig, s.x.

Seeing a Friend Off

Green mountains range beyond the northern wall.
White water rushes round the eastern town.
Right here is where, alone and restless,
he begins a journey of a thousand miles.
 
While travelers' intents are fleeting clouds,
a friend's affection is a setting sun.
He waves good-bye, and as he goes from here,
his dappled horse lets out a lonely neigh.

Li Bai

Chinese Wisdom:

Happiness is Sharing

“My mother used to buy a toy for each of us when we were little kids. I played with my toy by myself and gradually lost interest in it. My sister played with neighboring children. They thought of many ways to use the toy and got more and more excited. Their laughter attracted me to their games. I learned from my sister and had a lot of fun playing with other children. As I look back now, I realize that happiness lies in sharing and being unselfish.” 

Translation by Fr. Joe Matteucig, s.x.

Chinese Wisdom:

Letting Go of the Past

“There are always some unpleasant things in our past. So, let them go! By keeping hope in our hearts, we can start anew with a positive attitude.
Each day, every week, every month and every year is a new beginning and a new page. Everyone has had the experience of thinking: ‘I’m worse off than anyone else. Why do these terrible things all happen to me?’ If we are able to look at things objectively, we will discover that everyone has troubles and we are lucky in comparison. When the rain stops, the sky clears and a rainbow appears. Our troubles pass and life is beautiful and bright once again.” 

Translation by Fr. Joe Matteucig, s.x.

The Birth of a Child

When a son is born,
he is cradled in the bed,
he is clothed in robes,
given a jade scepter as toy.
his lusty cries portend his vigor,
he shall wear bright, red knee-caps,
shall be the lord of a hereditary house.
 
When a daughter is born,
she is cradled on the floor,
she is clothed in swaddling-bands,
given a loom-whorl as toy,
she shall wear no badges of honor,
shall only take care of food an drink,
and not cause trouble to her parents.

Book of Songs