Chinese Literature

reluctance to send them rain. After a great deal of consultation by those in charge of the prayer for rain, many more prayers and entreaties were sent up accompanied by kneeling and kowtowing, yet none of this produced any effect whatsoever.

‘Does this mean everything is finished this year?”

‘Don’t worry! Let’s carry the god out and let his lordship take a look around. See whether he can bear the sorrowful sight of the fields. t

“All right, perhaps the god has not seen the condition of the fields. Three years ago when there was a drought, it started to rain only after we took the god out to survey the scene. Yun-pu, you go and get a few young people; we also need a gong, a drum and a flute.”

SS Ah 1

Very quickly the provisional troupe was organized, and following the banners, gong, drum and canopy, the green sedan-chair carrying the image of Kuan Ti was borne aloft on the shoulders of four stalwart men.

They started from Hsintukou and Huachia Dyke, went as far as Hungmiao and made several rounds before they returned. But the sun was still as hot as fire and made the people feel as if they were being roasted. The ground was so hot one could hardly bear to put his foot down. There seemed to be fire everywhere and the people seemed to be struggling in the flames.

Not a drop of rain appeared after all ther efforts. Then Kuan Ti was taken by the people in Motzewan, the next village. People everywhere were busy carrying it around and praying for rain.

“Oh, Heaven, we’ve had a year of flood and a year of drought. Now what exactly do you want of us?”

Suddenly the wind shifted and blew from the northeast, whistling and whining above the tree tops. The stars and moon were gone. Many people stood outside looking at the sky.

“There’s lightning over in that direction.”

“Tiehtning in the east; no break in the west.’ I doubt if we'll have rain!”

“But that is in the north.”

“Good! ‘Lightning in the south, opens the fire door; lightning in the north, and the rain will pour!’ Tonight there should be some rain. Oh Heaven! ...”

“We'll have to depend on the mercy of Heaven.”

“Yes. After all, none of us has committed any sins. Why should Heaven wish to see us starve?”

“Tt’s not likely that we will.”

The sound of rain pattered on the roof amidst the clamour of human ‘voices. There was a coolness in the air and every drop of rain seemed to fall on happy cheerful hearts.

“This is surely the mercy of Heaven!”

The heavy weight oppressing the hearts of the people was gradually

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