Dong Yong and the Weaver Girl
故事全文
During the Han Dynasty, there was a man named Dong Yong. He lived in Chien Sheng County. Dong Yong’s mother died when he was still a child. He and his father tilled the fields for a living. They were so poor that Dong Yong did not have enough money to buy a coffin when his father died. He sold himself as a slave for money to bury his father. Dong Yong’s master was so touched by his filial piety, that he gave Dong Yong ten thousand coins and allowed him to go home to mourn his father.
After his three-year mourning period ended, Dong Yong prepared to set off toward his master’s house to repay his debt. On the way, he met a beautiful lady. She told Dong Yong, “I am willing to be your wife.” Dong Yong said, “I am penniless, and I am going to my master’s house to work as a slave to repay my debt. You will suffer if you marry me.” However, the beautiful girl insisted on marrying him. So, Dong Yong brought her to his master’s house.
Dong Yong’s master told him, “I do not need you to repay the money, you may go home now.” Dong Yong said, “A debt must be repaid. Please allow me to repay your kindness.” So, the master asked, “What can your wife do?” Dong Yong replied, “She is a skilled weaver.” The master said, “If your wife can weave four hundred yards of precious silk cloth for me, your debt shall be repaid.”
Dong Yong’s wife took only ten days to finish weaving the silk cloth. Dong Yong finally repaid his debt, and earned his freedom. When Dong Yong returned to his own home, his wife told him, “I am a weaver girl from heaven. The Heavenly Emperor saw that you are a filial son and asked me to come down to earth to help you to repay your debt.” After she finished speaking, the weaver girl bid goodbye to Dong Yong and flew back to heaven.
