In the heart of Jiangsu, nestled by the Huai River, lived a man named Zhao. He was the only son in his family lineage and an ominous thread of destiny hung over their lives. This haunting destiny traced back to his great-grandfather, with each generation losing a man to the depths of the river. At just 8 years old, Zhao became an orphan, his father becoming another victim of the river’s treacherous current.
A new life in the northeast
Grief-stricken and determined to change their destiny, Zhao’s mother took him away from the curse of the Huai River. They started a new life in the northeast, where she remarried. With tear-streaked cheeks, she would often remind him: “Son, avoid the water. You carry the hope of our lineage. We cannot battle fate.”
Bearing the burden of continuing his family line, Zhao took his mother’s warnings to heart. Although water was ever-present in their lives, he resisted the temptation to join other children playing in the nearby river.
The legacy passed on
As time passed, Zhao welcomed a son of his own. Remembering the curse that had haunted his own life, he set firm rules against engaging with water. Yet, to his dismay, his son demonstrated a natural affinity for water, stirring an undercurrent of fear within Zhao.
A day came when a neighbor informed Zhao of his son’s secret escapades. His son had been swimming in the river, showcasing impressive skills. Stricken by panic, Zhao dashed to the river, yanking his gleeful son out of the water and reprimanding him harshly.
A father’s love and fear
In the silence of the night, with his son’s anguish heavy in his heart, Zhao stayed awake. He unveiled the grim history of their family, explaining the protective motive behind his stern prohibition. His plea was simple yet heartfelt: “Understand your father’s hardships. A father’s love is as immense as a mountain.”
Fearful of the looming curse, he further safeguarded his son by installing window bars and locking him indoors. As the years unfolded, his son developed a wariness of water, which, oddly, reassured Zhao. “No playing in the water means no playing in the water,” he would repeat, holding on to their tragic family history.
A turn of fate
However, their lives took an unexpected turn when a devastating flood ravaged their new home in the northeastern region. The river, once a tranquil presence, swelled into a monstrous force, destroying their home and Zhao’s factory. Submerged and unconscious amidst the chaos, Zhao believed his end was near.
But destiny had other plans. When Zhao awoke, he found himself under the radiant sun, with his son at his side. Overwhelmed with relief, he shed tears of joy. His main concern was not for himself, but for his yet-to-be-married son.
Upon learning that his son was his savior, Zhao was astonished. It appeared that despite the bars and locks, his son had found a way to the river, slimming down to sneak through the bars and climb out the windows.
A lesson learned
“Why didn’t you listen to me?” Zhao asked, more shocked than angry. His son revealed, “I pondered our family’s history. Water can be perilous, but we can’t always avoid it. Little fish don’t drown, only the old fish know why. So I practiced swimming in secret.”
Under the glaring sunlight, Zhao remained silent. At that moment, he comprehended a life lesson: Facing adversity required resilience, not resignation. It’s possible to shape one’s destiny through personal strength and tenacity.
Zhao, who had lived in the shadow of his father’s untimely death, found comfort in his son’s actions. He marveled at the strength of their bond — a father’s silent worry met with a son’s resilience and growth. It was a testament to love’s power to conquer fear and redefine destiny.
Translated by Joseph Wu
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