The Little Peasant

(2-minute read)

The little Chinese peasant peered out her hut. Winter Solstice was here and it was a time for families to gather and eat coloured rice balls in ginger soup.

Alas, her family was in the neighbouring province of Henan, fighting a war for the Emperor. The little peasant hadn’t seen her family in months. All she had was her little brown dog Bi-Xi-Qi.

“Now what are you pouting about?” ask Bi-Xi-Qi. “Heaven has the best plans for mankind. Absence is not a bad thing. It opens the heart, stretches the mind and romanticizes even the dullest relationships.”

“Oh not at all, I am pouting about the weather. I had wanted to pick forest shoots and make us porridge later on. I am perfectly contented even with the country at war and prevailing absence.”

“And why is that?” yawned Bi-Xi-Qi as he rolled on his back, four paws in the air. “Our neighbour Xiao Li has been weeping for days for her husband and family. Her howls have disturbed my sleep. Infact maybe you could have a word with her about it.”

“Well my furry one, you know the Chinese proverb - 有情饮水饱，无情食饭饥。It means that with affection, lovers feel sufficient even when only water is drunk. But without affection, lovers starve even when food is eaten,” said the peasant. “How can I howl when I have you burdening me day and night?”

“Chatter chatter all day,” said Bi-Xi-Qi licking his paws. “Shall you go now to make our Forest porridge? My tummy is rumbling.”

And off went the little peasant trudging up the foothills of her village looking for shoots while her little brown dog curled up by the fire.