​Something Bigger

A short story by Ben S. about the scholar officials of the Tang Dynasty in Chinese history

“JAI!” Jai’s mom screamed.

“What is it, honorable mother?” I replied.

“It’s 8 in the morning and you just got up” she said

Ugh, I thought I was so tired but I got up and put my long light blue robes on and went downstairs to do my chores anyway. First I had to gather the eggs from the chickens and feed the pigs which smelled horrible. Then I had to go into the village and buy supplies. I had always wanted to be something bigger maybe even a scholar official like my friend Péngyǒu. He said it was hard but I thought I could do it.

When I came back the entire house was burned down All my belongings gone my parents died. HOW? WHY? WHAT? I was so overwhelmed with grief that i fell to my knees. After sitting on the ground for maybe an hour I started thinking straight in my head I was thinking maybe this is my chance I can go to Beijing and become a scholar official. I couldn’t just be a farmer I don’t have any supplies to live off of till the harvest and I couldn’t do the harvest myself. I could fake my death by never coming back. Even though my parents and all my belonging were gone I had to think of the future. Thankfully I had had some delicious and savory rice and pork before my chores so I set off.

Fortunately I had been to Beijing before so I knew the way. It was a long way and during this trip I ran into a small village. This village had many things. First of all it had a traveling entertainers but that cost money which I had very little of but the most interesting of all is that it had a kite shop. I had only ever heard of kites because of how expensive they were to make and buy. I looked inside and was amazed to see all the different kites some with beautiful gold and red dragon for luck, and even some pink lotuses. There were just so many of the amazing kites. But sadly I had to leave for the prices were too high.

Not long after that I finally reached Beijing. Even before that I had seen the sprawling city from at least a mile away. The smell too. The mix of aromas freshly steamed rice, and cooked meats it made my mouth water. Also there were so many people though the streets. I walked into one of the first shops I saw. It ended up being a meat shop a saw a huge variety of meats some cooked some uncooked even some labeled bear meat.

I met a nice man there I told him my plan leaving out the dead parents part and he said I was foolish but he would help me. He pointed me in the right direction and I was on my way when I finally got there they said they would accept me but I would fail.

“Hello” said the man who was sitting in the test taking room.

“Hello” I replied.

“I will be here while you take the test to make sure you don't cheat” he said.

“Ok I am Jai” I said

“Nice to meet you Jai” He replied

He then told me all the rules of the test then set it down in front of me. When I saw how long the test was I started to get worried. It was pretty easy at first but got much harder. In the end I failed. At first I wasn't worried. I can just head back to my village. Then I remembered they think I’m dead and I am out of money too so I might starve.

I lived out on the streets for couple of days finding any scraps I could. I was so scared. Now that I had time to think on I remember how foolish I acted just running away. Taking advantage of my own parents death to follow my own desires and how sad I was. I just waded in self pity.

That was until a kind man named Dǎoshī saw me sitting there on the streets. He asked me how I had gotten here, and I told him my story (without the dead parents part again) he told me he could help. he didn't tell me how he just told me he could. He finally told me he was a retired scholar official and could help me pass the test. when we got to his house it was huge It had large towers and a small courtyard in the middle with a small pond off to the side. I had never seen something so grand. We quickly went inside and he almost immediately started teaching me things. After maybe a month he told me I was ready. I am a quick learner and he mentioned that multiple times so it did not take as long as he thought he said

I told him farewell and was on my way. When I got there again they said I would most likely fail and was again seated down at the test taking room and was again instructed about what I should. The only difference this time was that I was prepared. I took the test and after waiting for maybe an hour they told me I had passed the test and I was appointed to a small village. After that I lived out the rest of my life in happiness.