| Nursing Parents with Doe’s Milk |
Tan Zi was born in a poor family during the Zhou Dynasty. His parents' eyesight
was failing because of malnutrition. The physician advised that their eyesight could
recover by drinking doe's milk. However, it was quite impossible to get doe's milk.
Tan Zi came up with a brilliant idea that was to disguise himself with a deer pelt in
order to get close the herd of deer and squeeze milk from them. He succeeded and
became familiar with deer's habits. In disguise, he looked very much like a real
deer and almost got shot by a hunter on one occasion.
Why would Tan Zi risk his life to get doe's milk?
What if he was killed by the hunter, who would look after
his parents?
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Acting to Amuse Parents
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Lao Lai Zi was a learned man and gave up his official post in order to take care of his
parents. He would sample and ensure that the food was just right for them, not too
sweet and not too hard. He set his wits to do all sorts of things to amuse his parents
and make them live happily.
How did Lai Zi cope with his living expenses? Is it a
practical decision to give up one's career to look after
one's parents?
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| Breast-feeding Mother-in-law |
Madam Tang lived during the Tang Dynasty and treated his mother-in-law with great
respect and tender love. She fed her mother-in-law with her own milk as the old lady
was unable to chew solid food. She served her dutifully and when the old lady fell ill,
she would brew the medicine and take good care of her. Despite all her efforts, the old
lady's condition showed no improvement. Before the old lady passed away, she
summoned her grandsons to her bedside. Her last wish was that she hope that the wives
of her grandsons would treat Madam Tang the way she had treated her. This was to
show her deep appreciation of Madam Tang's kindness.
Why would a daughter-in-law take care of a mother-in-law since
there was no strong bond between them, as compared to one's natural mother?
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Scholar Cleanses Mother's Chamber Pot
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Huang Ting Jian was a gifted scholar lived during the Song Dynasty. He enjoyed an
exalted position and fame and was busy all day handling state affairs. However, that
did not keep him from taking personal care of his mother. He would help his mother
bathe, clean the items that she used daily, including her chamber pot.
Why did Ting Jian choose to serve his mother personally instead of leaving the task to his servants?
Would it make any difference?
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| Fanning the Mat and Warming the Quilt
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Huang Xiang lived during the Han Dynasty and was a devoted son and took good
care of his father after his mother's death. During summer, he would fan the mat on
his father's bed till it became cool so that his father could sleep comfortably. During
winter, he would lie on his father's bed and warm the quilt with the warmth of his
own body so that his father could sleep on the warm and cozy bed.
Do you think it was necessary for Huang Xiang to fan the mat and
warm the quilt?
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w.e.f. 1 Jan 2023.