Master Bao and the Poet of the Bamboo Grove

“Master,” Ping said, “is life an illusion?”

Tom Hanratty

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Artist Fan Zeng (b. 1938) on Unsplash

A tale of China during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE)

Master Bao rode his great ox, Xi, along a trail in the southern province of Lingnan. His student Ping walked alongside.

“This part of Lingnan is thought to be haunted by ghosts, Master,” Ping said. He kept sweeping his gaze of the deep forest quickly from one side of the road to the other.

Master Bao asked, “Do you not fear your head will become loose if you keep twisting it back and forth?”

“Master, I keep seeing strange creatures moving among the trees. And it is well known that were-tigers roam this very forest. Is that not true, Master?”

“It is true that I have heard those stories,” Master Bao responded. After a brief moment, he continued. “Tonight, we will stay in the village of Hong Wa, a few miles distant from here. There is an Inn in Hong Wa known for its tasty vegetable dishes, cooked with secret, complex mixtures of spices.”

Ping’s face broke into a wide smile. “I’m happy we’ll not need to spend the night in this forest, Master.”

Just ahead, a man, dressed in a patched and ragged blue robe, sat by the side of the road playing a happy melody on a reed flute. His was completely bald and beardless. Next to him on the ground was a beautiful lute with six strings.

Ukiyou-e-Prints downloaded from printsofjapan.com

When they reached the man, Master Bao stopped Xi and dismounted. The man stopped playing, stood, and bowed to the travelers. “Greetings, Monk,” the man said. “For where are you bound?”

“Hong Wa,” responded Master Bao, returning the bow.

“Ah. A noisy village filled with hard-working people.”

“So I’ve heard. Are you from Hong Wa?”

“No, I am Liu Hing, and I spend my days on the road or in this forest. I’m waiting for some friends who I meet each afternoon. Nearby is our special place where we play music, sing, and drink wine. We are “The Poets of the Bamboo Grove.” It’s a merry

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Tom Hanratty

Scribbler of stories, lover of mysteries, retired Forensic Investigator and Tracker of critters. tomhanratty@substack.com