In Xincheng Shandong Province, Huantai County, lived Sima Wang (Wang Xiangqian), the Minister of War. He had a trusted steward who was very wealthy and lived a comfortable and prosperous life. This steward was regretfully aware that he had no son to carry on his family’s lineage.
A strange dream
As time passed, the steward’s wife became pregnant, and he eagerly hoped to be blessed with a healthy son. One night, the steward had a strange dream. He dreamt that a man, with a stern-looking expression, stormed into his house and demanded: “You owe me forty thousand coins. Isn’t it time for you to pay me back?” Shocked, the steward looked at the stranger and asked: “Owe you money? Who are you? Please clarify: when did I ever borrow money from you?” The man failed to explain; instead, he turned and walked directly toward the steward’s wife’s bedroom.
Startled by the dream, the steward woke up with a pounding heart. “It was just a dream!” he told himself reassuringly. Just then, a servant rushed in, beaming with joy. “Congratulations, Master! The Madam has given birth to a son!” The steward’s excitement turned to unease when he saw the child. “This baby looks so familiar… Where have I seen him before?”
Then it hit him — the child’s face was like the man in his dream. It suddenly dawned upon him: “This child must have been my creditor in a past life. He has come to collect his debt.” Without hesitation, the steward ordered his servants to set aside 40,000 coins in a separate room, saying: “Everything the child needs — food, clothing, medicine — shall come from this sum.”
The years passed, and the boy grew up in the adoration of the entire household. As he reached the age of three or four, the money set aside had dwindled to just 700 coins. The nanny playfully teased him one day: “Little Master, the money is almost gone. Maybe the time is up for you?”
The child suddenly turned pale. His body went limp, his head dropped, and then he stopped breathing. The nanny screamed in terror, and the household rushed to her side. The steward and his wife arrived to find their beloved son lifeless in his nanny’s arms.
The wife collapsed in shock and grieved day and night. The servants equally mourned the loss of this little boy. Except for the steward, who remained calm and composed? He instructed the staff to use the remaining money to buy a coffin and arrange his burial. Then, with a sigh, he exclaimed: “His debt has been collected — his time here is over!” When the household tallied the child’s expenses, from birth to death, it was the precise total of 40,000 coins.
The karmic cycle of family bonds
A childless man once sought guidance from a wise monk. The monk told him: “You owe no debts, and no one owes you — so why would a child come to you?” This wisdom suggests that a good son is a repayment of past kindness, while a problematic son comes to collect an old debt.
Thus, it is said that if one has a virtuous and filial child, there is no need for excessive pride; equally, if one faces hardship with a wayward child, there is no need for sorrow. Everything is but the unfolding and playing out of karmic relationships, alluding to the deep spiritual meaning behind family bonds.
Translated by Katy Liu and edited by Maria
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