Page:Chinese Fables and Folk Stories.djvu/178

174 and dance—all bad things.' I will ask her to send me money to come home, and I will then take my father's place on the farm.

"I will take the oxen and plow the rice fields, plant the corn, and tell my father to rest. I will help my mother so she need not cook nor do any other work. There is no one like father and mother, and no place but my home for me now."

Kong-Hwa wrote the letter and sent it by a friend, telling him to say "good words" for him; for he felt that he deserved nothing after causing his parents so much sorrow.

"Thirteen long years and at last a letter from our dear son," cried Kong-Hwa's mother.

His parents were filled with joy and asked the bearer of the good news all about him. How long would it take for the letter and money that they would send to reach him? Would he come at once?

His mother wrote: "My son, Kong-Hwa, come to our home. We feel that you will do what you say in your letter. The house, the land, and all we have is yours and we will rejoice to have you come and care for them. The time will seem long until you are here."

Kong-Hwa went to his parents as soon as the letter and money came to him. And he was a good man