--- title: Winning Buddha’s Smile, part 6 — Winning Buddha's smile · full text with trees · page 2 description: Winning Buddha’s Smile, part 6, «Winning Buddha's smile»: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: His son, overcome by grief, uttered wild cries--“Oh, my father, my only refuge, why do you forsake me? --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg78208/8/page/2/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Winning Buddha's smile](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg78208/) / Winning Buddha’s Smile, part 6 # Winning Buddha’s Smile, part 6 · page 2 [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg78208/8/) **2** When the vessel that bore the young girl had reached the open sea and the merchants had finished a session of prayer, they summoned Cheng-Si before them.[89](../../89/ "tree and pragmatics") “The time for the sacrifice has come,” they told her.[90](../../90/ "tree and pragmatics") “Now you may retire, purify your body, put on your most beautiful gown.[91](../../91/ "tree and pragmatics") We will wait for you here.”[92](../../92/ "tree and pragmatics") Cheng-Si obeyed their commands with resignation.[93](../../93/ "tree and pragmatics") She soon appeared on the deck, fresh as a new rose.[94](../../94/ "tree and pragmatics") One might have thought that she was going to her wedding instead of her death.[95](../../95/ "tree and pragmatics") The traders had prepared a magnificent altar covered with white and bearing curiously carved incense burners.[96](../../96/ "tree and pragmatics") From the midst of the incense arose fragrant blue clouds of myrrh.[97](../../97/ "tree and pragmatics") At each end of the table burned an immense candle, the flames from which flickered to and fro in the breeze.[98](../../98/ "tree and pragmatics") The girl was stationed between the two candles, in front of the incense burners.[99](../../99/ "tree and pragmatics") The merchants knelt and began to pray.[100](../../100/ "tree and pragmatics") Cheng-Si, the fair, consigned her soul to Heaven.[101](../../101/ "tree and pragmatics") Not that she experienced regret at leaving this life, but her last thoughts were of the blind father whom she had forsaken.[102](../../102/ "tree and pragmatics") Her prayers concluded, the girl, without showing a trace of emotion, threw herself resolutely into the sea while the vessel continued on its way.[103](../../103/ "tree and pragmatics") Cheng-Si, who fully expected to drown in a few minutes, perceived with astonishment that she was resting on the surface of the water.[104](../../104/ "tree and pragmatics") In her plunge she had struck an obstacle and this obstacle was nothing else than a gigantic sea turtle.[105](../../105/ "tree and pragmatics") The animal kept on swimming, without seeming to be incommoded by his unusual burden.[106](../../106/ "tree and pragmatics") The young girl naturally seized this unlooked for chance of salvation.[107](../../107/ "tree and pragmatics") She allowed herself to be borne by the turtle and soon she enjoyed such a feeling of security that she fell asleep and a vision came to her.[108](../../108/ "tree and pragmatics") Her mother appeared before her, borne on the fleecy sheets of a cloud, and left with her these words:[109](../../109/ "tree and pragmatics") “My daughter, be not afraid.[110](../../110/ "tree and pragmatics") Heed what I have to say to you and, above all things, follow my advice.[111](../../111/ "tree and pragmatics") Do not forsake the turtle who has saved your life until he has carried you safely to the shore.”[112](../../112/ "tree and pragmatics") With this message, the vision vanished.[113](../../113/ "tree and pragmatics") Upon awakening, Cheng-Si glanced about her in all directions and noticed an island in the near distance.[114](../../114/ "tree and pragmatics") “Doubtless that is to be my future home,” she said to herself.[115](../../115/ "tree and pragmatics") “My dream is already beginning to come true.[116](../../116/ "tree and pragmatics") I shall follow my dear mother’s advice.”[117](../../117/ "tree and pragmatics") The turtle, arriving close to the shore, turned aside into a deep subterranean passage and kept on swimming for several hours until it reached a point where the channel was very narrow.[118](../../118/ "tree and pragmatics") The innocent Cheng-Si jumped ashore crying:[119](../../119/ "tree and pragmatics") “Thank you, good turtle, for saving my life.”[120](../../120/ "tree and pragmatics") While the large animal turned and swam back toward the sea the girl tried to comprehend the situation in which she found herself.[121](../../121/ "tree and pragmatics") Amidst the deep darkness she was seized with a great fear.[122](../../122/ "tree and pragmatics") “Alas!” she cried, “poor me\![123](../../123/ "tree and pragmatics") I have escaped death only for a little while.[124](../../124/ "tree and pragmatics") How can I get out of this cave?”[125](../../125/ "tree and pragmatics") Suddenly she saw a ray of sunlight that filtered through the rocky vault above her head.[126](../../126/ "tree and pragmatics") She turned in this direction and saw two small polished stone flasks which shone in the sunlight.[127](../../127/ "tree and pragmatics") Lying conspicuously close by was a letter addressed to Cheng-Si herself.[128](../../128/ "tree and pragmatics") The young girl had had so many adventures in so short a time that this strange coincidence did not cause her any surprise.[129](../../129/ "tree and pragmatics") Breaking the seal on the letter, she read the following:[130](../../130/ "tree and pragmatics") “Drink the contents of these two bottles.[131](../../131/ "tree and pragmatics") One of them will wash away the fatigue of your long voyage.[132](../../132/ "tree and pragmatics") The other will clarify your ideas about the strange events which no doubt have troubled you.”[133](../../133/ "tree and pragmatics") Cheng-Si drank the two beverages and she immediately felt a renewed energy flowing through her veins.[134](../../134/ "tree and pragmatics") Her head was as clear as a bell.[135](../../135/ "tree and pragmatics") She picked her way carefully along the sides of the cavern in the direction whence the sunlight came.[136](../../136/ "tree and pragmatics") Her way was soon blocked by a pile of dirt which she painfully dug aside with her own hands.[137](../../137/ "tree and pragmatics") Presently she had made an opening large enough to admit her slender body.[138](../../138/ "tree and pragmatics") Drawing herself up through the hole she found that she was in the hollow trunk of an immense tree whose roots reached way down into the floor of the cave.[139](../../139/ "tree and pragmatics") Cheng-Si enjoyed to the fullest measure the dazzling bright daylight.[140](../../140/ "tree and pragmatics") She was in an enchanted garden.[141](../../141/ "tree and pragmatics") Not only were there trees of luxuriant green foliage, spreading gorgeous blossoms caressed by the soft, sweet breath of variegated butterflies, and bees and birds, but the air itself was laden with an intoxicating perfume.[142](../../142/ "tree and pragmatics") A huge wall served to close the garden from outside view.[143](../../143/ "tree and pragmatics") In the centre arose a magnificent dwelling which harmonized nicely with its surroundings.[144](../../144/ "tree and pragmatics") After a few minutes rest, Cheng-Si picked her way carefully through the briars and brambles covering the trunk of the tree and began to stroll about the garden.[145](../../145/ "tree and pragmatics") Now it so happened that the beautiful house and this fairy garden were the residence and place of recreation for the young King whom Ja-Jo-Mi, the unscrupulous, in his wickedness, had exiled, as we have previously seen.[146](../../146/ "tree and pragmatics") His captivity had already lasted for several months.[147](../../147/ "tree and pragmatics") The young Prince, giving himself up to a bitter melancholy, could not take his thoughts from the memory of his parents.[148](../../148/ "tree and pragmatics") Ceaselessly he thought of his father and his mother, both of whom had shown him such tender affection.[149](../../149/ "tree and pragmatics") At times he would ponder over the future where he could see no issue from the plight in which he found himself but death.[150](../../150/ "tree and pragmatics") “Why should I cling to life any longer?[151](../../151/ "tree and pragmatics") This everlasting loneliness, is it not the most cruel of punishments?[152](../../152/ "tree and pragmatics") Yes, it is better to die,” mourned the young Prince so sadly that at his approach even the birds stopped singing.[153](../../153/ "tree and pragmatics") This very day he was determined to carry out his dismal plans.[154](../../154/ "tree and pragmatics") He carefully made all his preparations.[155](../../155/ "tree and pragmatics") A rope tightly attached to the bough of a tree at one end with the other end passed around his neck would be his instrument of deliverance.[156](../../156/ "tree and pragmatics") The poor victim of Ja-Jo-Mi said his last prayers.[157](../../157/ "tree and pragmatics") In a few minutes his body would be swinging into space.[158](../../158/ "tree and pragmatics") But the Prince hesitated.[159](../../159/ "tree and pragmatics") He had just seen a young girl, a beautiful vision in white, strolling along the shady paths of his garden.[160](../../160/ "tree and pragmatics") “Who in the world can that be?” queried the Prince.[161](../../161/ "tree and pragmatics") “It seems that I am not here all alone, after all.[162](../../162/ "tree and pragmatics") I must solve this mystery.”[163](../../163/ "tree and pragmatics") He forgot his plans of suicide; his melancholy mood disappeared.[164](../../164/ "tree and pragmatics") A single glimpse of a woman had had this potent effect on him--believe it or not.[165](../../165/ "tree and pragmatics") He untied the cord from about his neck and started in headlong pursuit after the charming apparition. ’[166](../../166/ "tree and pragmatics") Twas effort wasted\![167](../../167/ "tree and pragmatics") The girl turned around a tree and vanished as if by magic.[168](../../168/ "tree and pragmatics") The young Prince was sorely perplexed.[169](../../169/ "tree and pragmatics") He questioned whether he was not dreaming.[170](../../170/ "tree and pragmatics") But no, his eyes had clearly seen.[171](../../171/ "tree and pragmatics") Later on, when the curtain of twilight began to lower its darkness the prisoner entered his house to seek slumber but all night long he was haunted by the memory of the girl he had seen in his garden and he could not sleep.[172](../../172/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg78208/8/) **2** - ← previous: [page 1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg78208/8/) - next →: [Winning Buddha’s Smile, part 7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg78208/9/) - ↑ back to [Winning Buddha's smile](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg78208/)