Teacher of Many

The houses have been built. Swaying Blossoms and Fluttering Bird have made a big feast using most of our supplies to thank the people from the village. During the feast, I sit further away where the noise is not so loud. Song Thrush sings a song for us all while we eat and Fluttering Bird dances with Swaying Blossoms. While there is singing and dancing, Gentle Whiskers and Fighter have somehow produced crude musical instruments, accompanying them with drum and flute. Baby Tofu crawls, sits and claps his hands, while I join him smiling and laughing.

During the performance, the scholar comes to sit beside me and offers me a cup of tea.

"Eldest sister," he says, "please have some tea."

"The first bowl moistens my lips and throat," I reply, taking the proffered cup and reciting the first line of a poem.

"The second bowl breaks my loneliness," the scholar continues the poem, his eyes light up with excitement. "Eldest sister, you have studied before."

"Too much study can make one proud," I say.

"But from humility's seat is learning profound," he replies.

"It is better to walk a thousand miles than to read a thousand books."

"Still, every turnip has its own hole."

The scholar wriggles in his seat, his smile widening to the point I almost cannot see his eyes. He is enjoying this literary exchange but I am starting to tire of it. It hurts my head. Nevertheless, I must see whether he is worthy of my Swaying Blossoms. Even if I must dredge my memory to test him.

"Seeking love after recent heartbreak is a momentary pleasure."

"But for a lonely heart, for true love, there is no measure."

The youngster is prepared. He must have prepared all such words for a difficult meeting.

"Then tell me what you see in her," I tell him. "In two lines."

"Diligence with virtue's grace," he counts on his fingers. "Clouds cover the moon's face."

"In one word, what is good about you?"

"Teachable."

"Finish this line: Between husband and wife," I hold out my cup and he refills it.

"Is a cup of tea," he looks at me with a hopeful face, glancing at Swaying Blossoms dancing. Once his eyes catch a hold of her, he seems to be unable to look away.

With a sigh, I drink my tea while he is lost in a daydream. Then I reach out and fill him a cup of tea, placing it in his hands. He is brought back to our conversation with a start. From a corner of my eyes, I see Gentle Whiskers, Fighter and Keen Eyes watching. I raise an eyebrow at Gentle Whiskers and he gives me a nod, saluting me with his own cup of tea from where he sits.

The scholar blinks at me in confusion.

"You drink the third bowl," I tell him.

Understanding light dawns on the young man's face and I give him a small smile.

"The third bowl searches my barren entrails to find therein some five thousand scrolls," he recites, downing the tea in one gulp. It makes me wince at how it must scald him but he doesn't stop there. He immediately pours himself another and another cup. "The fourth bowl raises light perspiration and all life's inequities pass through my pores. The fifth bowl purifies my flesh and bones."

"At least blow and cool the tea before you drink," I advise, passing him a handkerchief to wipe the tea that has spilled down his chin.

He shakes his head at me, cleaning himself up with a beaming grin.

"How could I wait?"

"Patience is a virtue," I point out.

"I stand reprimanded," he takes a deep breath, bowing his head in acknowledgement. His eyes have drifted to Swaying Blossoms again. "I will take note of it for next time. Eldest sister, may I be excused?"

"Teacher of Many, you may leave."

"Teacher? Of Many?"

"Your new name," I pat him on the shoulder, rising from my seat. Immediately, Swaying Blossoms and Fluttering Bird are by my side. "I'm tired," I tell Fluttering Bird. "Please help me back to rest. Let Swaying Blossoms and Teacher of Many go speak to Father."

"Congratulations!" Fluttering Bird hugs Swaying Blossoms and gives Teacher of Many a slight bow. Then she leads me into the house rather than back to the cave. "I prepared your bed already, so that you won't have to walk so far."

"Thank you," I say, rubbing my sore head. "He was so much harder to deal with than Keen Eyes. Thinking so hard has made my head hurt. Tell Keen Eyes to keep an eye on Teacher of Many. He's still a bit too young and rash. I worry he is being hasty in this decision. It is too soon."

"I will do that," Fluttering Bird smiles with laughing eyes. "Thank you for accepting them."

"Both good boys," I reply, taking off my shoes and sliding into the bed. Fluttering Bird covers me up, "but you two must be careful. Don't let anything slip until we can be sure of their loyalties. Keep Gentle Whiskers and Fighter informed. If you choose to tell, I will not say anything. I don't want to know."

"Yes, my Lady," Fluttering Bird sighs and sweeps some hair to one side so that it doesn't cover my face.

"You should start calling me Eldest Sister all the time," I say, twitching my eyebrows.

"We've told them that it is our nickname for you," Fluttering Bird wrinkles her nose in a grin at me. "A tone of endearment for such a demanding sister."

"You are all so daring," I retort, feeling myself start to drift off already. Just a small conversation and I'm so tired. "I think I will have to think of a way to... 'thank' you all sometime."

"As long you don't tire yourself out, my Lady," Fluttering Bird flutters about me to ensure I am completely comfortable, "you can do whatever you like."