Don't Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch
by Jared T.
Once upon a time, high in the mountains of China in a village called Tangu, there lived a couple. In this village, it was a tradition that every couple had at least one boy in their household. Chow and Tai Young had two daughters, but no son. Each month Chow and Tai tried to have a baby, the village anxiously awaited the birth of a male baby to the Young household, but each month, Chow, Tai and their brothers that lived with them came home with nothing.
One day, while the family was eating
their rice and tea, Chow Young stood up and cried out in despair,
"when are we ever going to have a son. The whole village
and my father are counting on me to produce an heir. I pray every
day to the Gods and they have not yet answered my prayers. When
are we ever going to have a son?"
Tai answered with sorrow, "I don't know when, but some day
the Gods will bless us with a son." And for the rest of that
week, Chow, Tai and their brothers all prayed at the Buddha temple
for the Gods to bless them with a son.
Finally, the Gods answered their prayers and Tai Young was indeed going to have a child to be born at the beginning of spring. Throughout that winter excitement was in the air. The day arrived when Tai Young was taken to the village wise man to view her stomach. He would tell her if the child was a boy or a girl. The cheers were heard throughout the village upon the announcement by this very wise man that the Young family was having a boy.
Preparations for the blessed event began immediately. Chow and Tai's family throughout China was notified of the great news. The Gods had answered and rewarded the Young family. For months the family traveled to the small village to wait for the baby's arrival. Presents were given and food was prepared. The men hunted and the women cooked and sewed clothes for the baby. The joy and festivities were great. Chow Young was very proud.
Finally spring came and Tai Young was prepared for the birth of her baby boy. The wise man was called to witness this very special occasion. The village women helped Tai Young during her long labor. The family and village people gathered around the birthing hut and waited. Finally, the sun peeked over the horizon, on a beautiful spring morning, with the song of the birds in the air, the Young baby was born.
The sound of the baby's
cry was heard, but the silence of the village women in the hut
was a surprise. What could have been wrong? The wise man approached
the group waiting outside. His shoulders were slumped and his
head was down. Chow Young became alarmed, "what is wrong?"
he asked with concern in his voice. The wise man looked up and
meekly answered, "it is . . . it is . . ." he mumbled.
"What? What?" Chow Young yelled.
"My son, your wife has had another girl!" the wise man
said and he continued "but there is a lesson to be learned.
Never count your chickens before they hatch."