Chinese Fairy Tales
A LEGEND OF CONFUCIUS
WHEN Confucius came to the earth, the
Kilin, that strange beast which is the prince of all four-footed
animals, and only appears when there is a great man on earth, sought
the child and spat out a jade whereon was written: “Son of the
Watercrystal you are destined to become an uncrowned king!” And
Confucius grew up, studied diligently, learned wisdom and came to be a
saint. He did much good on earth, and ever since his death has been
reverenced as the greatest of teachers and masters. He had
foreknowledge of many things. And even after he had died he gave
evidence of this.
Once, when the wicked Emperor Tsin Schi Huang
had conquered all the other kingdoms, and was traveling through
the entire empire, he came to the homeland of Confucius. And he found
his grave. And, finding his grave, he wished to have it opened and see
what was in it. All his officials advised him not to do so, but he
would not listen to them. So a passage was dug into the grave, and in
its main chamber they found a coffin, whose wood appeared to be quite
fresh. When struck it sounded like metal. To the left of the coffin was
a door, which led into an inner chamber. In this chamber stood a bed,
and a table with books and clothing, all as though meant for the use of
a living person. Tsin Schi Huang seated himself on the bed and looked
down. And there on the floor stood two shoes of red silk, whose tips
were adorned with a woven pattern of clouds. A bamboo staff leaned
against the wall. The Emperor, in jest, put on the shoes, took the
staff and left the grave. But as he did so a tablet suddenly appeared
before his eyes on which stood the following lines:
O’er kingdoms six Tsin Schi Huang his army led,
To ope my grave and find my humble bed;
He steals my shoes and takes my staff away
To reach Schakiu—and his last earthly day!
Tsin
Schi Huang was much alarmed, and had the grave closed again. But when
he reached Schakiu he fell ill of a hasty fever of which he died.
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