- Hyung-yul Saves a Child’s Life
- 1 One day, when Sahng-jeh-nim was staying in Tae-in County, twenty-four followers gathered. He announced, “Today, let us go hunting to get some meat.”
“Yes, that sounds good,” they yelled, excited.
- 2 “Sit down and close your eyes,” Sahng-jeh-nim said. “We are going out to hunt.”
- 3 He continued, “I see a wild boar, but the mountain is too rough and all the hunters are stumbling. Well, how about fishing instead? If we want to catch fish, we must set sail.”
- 4 Suddenly, the room turned into a boat and was tossed and rocked by strong waves and wind.
- 5 Everyone in the room became seasick and fell over. Stroking them gently, Sahng-jeh-nim helped them sit up.
- 6 “Since we cannot catch a wild boar or some fish, let us eat pork. Follow me.”
- 7 Soon after, they arrived at an inn on Doh-chahng Hill. The innkeeper’s child was very sick.
- 8 Sahng-jeh-nim said, “If you give us three plates of pork, three pots of rice wine, and three packs of tobacco, the child will be cured.” But the innkeeper refused.
- 9 Sahng-jeh-nim left without eating, and at that moment, the child lost consciousness. Only then did the innkeeper rush out and beg for the child’s life.
- 10 Sahng-jeh-nim said, “The pig is too precious, yet you want your child to be cured. I will do nothing.”
- 11 The innkeeper apologized. “I will slaughter a pig for You.”
- 12 “Nothing can be done now,” Sahng-jeh-nim coldly replied. “You should have listened when I told you to bring out the pork. Now, even if you boiled the whole pig, it would be of no use.”
- 13 Clinging to Hyung-yul, the innkeeper pleaded. “Please, I will give you as much meat and rice wine as you like. I beg of you, please save my child’s life.”
- 14 Hyung-yul pleaded earnestly with Sahng-jeh-nim on behalf of the innkeeper. Sahng-jeh-nim finally gave in and said, “Do as you wish.”
- 15 Hyung-yul rushed inside with the innkeeper leading the way. The family’s wailing shook the house. The innkeeper, not having his wits about him, could not slaughter the pig.
- 16 Hyung-yul himself slaughtered the pig, and at that moment, the child woke up. The innkeeper finally came to his senses and gladly treated them to meat and rice wine.
- (JSD Dojeon 2,96)
