James Bowler (civil servant)

Transcription

- Would you like to play? - Sure. Wait a minute. I'm supposed to be studying. - So am I. - Great. You can play on my team. What is your name? Well, my parents call me Henry, but you can call me lndy. Jiddu Krishnamurti. This is my brother, Jiddu Nitya. You have the same first names? - Where are you from? - New Jersey. I'm American. Here, we say the last name first. So, what's the inning, what's the score and who's up? Who's up? - Yeah. Who's batting? - Who's batting? You. You guys ought to think about getting a new one of these. Must be lndian rules. Hum it in here. Come on. Give me your best shot. Hey! Hey, wait a minute. You can't run off the mat like that. Safe. - What are you doing? - What does it look like I'm doing? I'm playing baseball. What are you guys doing? - We are playing cricket. - Cricket? What's cricket? What's baseball? You don't know what baseball is? Ty Cobb, Cy Young... - No. - I'll show you. First, you gotta break up into teams of nine. Hum batter, hum batter, hum batter, hey! Not bad, Sanjeeva. Okay. Top of the 9th, two outs, 6- 5, us. We can't let them score. Sanjeeva! First! First! Throw it to first! Second! Second! Throw it to second! Throw it to second. Hurry! Pick it up. He's going to score. Come on! Throw it to second! Come on! Come on! Krishnamurti, home! Home! Great throw, K. Thank you, lndy, my friend. This baseball is a fine game. Henry! Henry Jones. Geometry. Thanks, guys. I gotta go. Thank you, lndy. - Goodbye, lndy! - Bye, lndy. Don't have to be sore at me. Just learning culture. You were doing nothing of the kind. You were playing baseball. That's right. It was a cultural exchange. A cultural exchange is the transmission from one population or community to another of the totality of its behavior patterns, arts, beliefs and institutions. One would have to agree that the flogging of a small sphere with a bat is not a cultural exchange. But they taught me how to play cricket. Really? You learned how to play cricket? The pitcher is called the bowler and a curveball is called a googly. Well, you did learn some cricket. Perhaps the afternoon wasn't a waste after all. I hope you didn't wear yourself out for tonight. Where are we going? To a reception given by Mrs. Annie Besant at the Theosophical Society. I'm not in favor of your going. Your father, however, feels it would be educational. - Do I have to wear a jacket and tie? - Yes. Annie Besant is... She's a believer in free love and she's a socialist and an atheist. She's not as bad some people insist on portraying her. Well, she certainly seems to have a bad reputation. Yes, she does. But so do many people who... How shall I put it? Go against the grain. The fact of the matter is Annie Besant is a remarkable woman. She's an advocate of women's rights. She was also the first woman to enroll in London University. - Was she really? - Yes, Helen. She was. And she's a friend of George Bernard Shaw. The playwright. Who also happens to be a socialist. Yes, the playwright and many other prominent people. Mrs. Besant cannot be easily dismissed. Father, what's theosophy? Well, theosophists believe in the commonality of all religions. What they call "a brotherhood of man." They're interested in psychic and supernatural phenomena. There's even a rumor they found a messiah. Some sort of great spiritual teacher. I know flimflam when I see it, Mrs. Jones. Occult. Supernatural. New messiah. Let's not prejudge things. We can all see for ourselves and let cooler heads prevail. - Good evening. - Hello. Good evening. Professor Jones. Welcome to the Theosophical Society. - Thank you. - Make yourselves at home. You are just in time. It's a very special day. Greetings, friends and fellow members of the Theosophical Society. Those who don't know me, I am Annie Besant. How wonderful it is to be here in Benares, the holiest of cities. Our work is progressing wonderfully. Our membership is greater than ever. I would like to introduce you to someone. A young man who has shown unusual spiritual purity. May I present Hubert Van Hook. But today, my friends, we are gathered for a very special occasion. I believe you all know Mr. Charles Leadbeater. Charles. Thank you, President Besant. I wish first to express the Society's gratitude for the generous donations offered tonight by two of our newest members, Mr. Mukherjee of Calcutta, and Mr. Richard McAllen, just arrived from Edinburgh. It is always a momentous occasion when the spiritual powers send one of their own to teach us the way. So it was with Sri Krishna, in the fourth century B.C. So it was with Jesus Christ, in the first century A.D. The coming of a new world teacher has been prophesied for some time. Several months ago, friends, I was walking on the beach at Adyar. I saw an lndian boy. He was possessed of a magnificent spiritual aura. It separated him from all others. I immediately brought him to the Society compound and conducted a clairvoyant investigation into his past lives. I immediately recorded the results of that investigation in this book. The spirits of the boy's past lives spoke to me. I knew then that I had discovered the new world teacher. Friends and colleagues, I present that boy, Jiddu Krishnamurti. Hey, I know that kid. - That was a lovely introduction, Charles. - Thank you. What is your impression so far, Miss Seymour? Well, I haven't seen any holy spirits, if that's what you're asking. Indy. - Hey, K. - Have you hit any home runs lately? No. But I hit a few wickets. Oh, these are my parents. My father and my mother. And my tutor, Miss Seymour. Very pleased to meet you. I don't believe I've had the pleasure. I'm Dr. Henry Jones of Princeton University. This is my wife, Anna, and my son, Henry Junior. How do you do? - Good evening, Henry. - Pleased to meet you. And this is my son's tutor, Miss Helen Seymour. Miss Seymour is a member of the Royal Society of Literature and the Royal Victorian Order. There are many Oxford scholars in her debt, myself included. After that introduction, Miss Seymour, it is my honor. Good evening, Mrs. Besant. Come on, K. I'll teach you how to throw a curveball. And I'll teach you how to hit a googly. So, what do you think of our humble little gathering? - I'd say it's not so little. - Nor so humble. A disbeliever. No, Mrs. Besant. On the contrary, I believe in quite a number of things. - But not theosophy? - No, madam. If you'll forgive me, not in an organization that exalts a young boy to its world teacher. Charles? - Do you have a copy of your book? - Oh, yes, Mrs. Besant. I would like Miss Seymour to read it. Madam is welcome to this copy. This is a record of the past lives of Krishnamurti. Perhaps you will reconsider your opinion. While you're in Benares, what the Theosophical Society has is yours. How very kind. Would it be possible to see around the Society grounds and the library? Of course. Why don't you all come to tea tomorrow? I'm afraid we have a prior engagement. - I'd like to. - Good. - But, Mom, they promised. - Hubert, please. Not so loud. We'll talk about it later. Come on, honey. A multi- faith approach is one of the founding principles of theosophy, if I'm not mistaken. That is correct. "Theosophy" is Greek. Yes. That's right, Henry. Do you speak Greek? Well, theo means "god" and sophia means "wisdom," so, I guess "theosophy" would mean "Wisdom of God" or something like that. Well, what a remarkable boy. Don't give him any ideas. Henry does have a special aptitude for languages. Tell me, Mrs. Besant, while we're speaking of extraordinary children... There's no need to be diplomatic, Helen. You want to know whether the young Krishnamurti is a fraud? Well, yes, so I do. Charles Leadbeater spoke quite well last night. - Did you read his book? - Yes. I'm curious about him. Where can I begin? He is my friend, my colleague. In spiritual matters, I trust him implicitly. I don't want to unfairly cast aspersions on his character, but I am skeptical about Mr. Leadbeater's claiming to have seen Krishnamurti's aura, and claiming to have had a vision about Krishnamurti's spiritual past. Helen, Charles did have a vision. And his aims are the same as mine and every other member of this society. To seek spiritual truth. Charles has immense psychic ability, Helen, and his book proves it. Hey, look. What are they doing over there? Well, it looks like meditation. It's a kind of mental discipline, Henry. It's a kind of mental discipline, Henry. Oh, you mean like geometry. No, not like that. When a person meditates, instead of filling the brain with thought, he tries to empty the brain of thought. Why would somebody wanna stop thinking? Well, when somebody stops thinking and empties the brain of thought, then he only has to deal with what is left. - What's that? - Peacefulness and tranquility. Wow! - I'm gonna try it. - Oh, dear. He'll be all right, Helen. Helen, you must open yourself to spiritual experiences, or you'll miss so much. - Annie? - Charles. I'm sorry to interrupt. Mr. Mukherjee and Mr. McAllen would like to present their donation checks to the Theosophical Society. Yes, of course. Helen, would you mind? I understand. Charles, will you continue Miss Seymour's tour? You could show her the library? Yes, all right. - Helen, will you join me for tea later? - Thank you, Mrs. Besant. I read your book. It was most interesting. Especially the description of the conversations with all those spirits, the people Krishnamurti was in former lives. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Some of the spirits you state are thousands of years old, and are from a variety of cultures and ethnic groups. - I couldn't help but wonder something. - What? How did you communicate with them? Do they speak the King's English or are you fluent in ancient languages, Greek, Sanskrit? Yes, I do speak Greek. You have become less than friendly, madam. No. Merely inquisitive. That was a rather dirty trick, trying to expose my ignorance of Greek. Well, so you do. Are you finished with your interrogation? It isn't an interrogation, Mr. Leadbeater. I'm simply curious about all this occult and supernatural activity. For instance, the aura. In your book, you stated that you instantly knew Krishnamurti was the new world teacher when you saw his aura on the beach at Adyar. This is supposedly a field of energy which surrounds Krishnamurti. All living things emit an aura. Krishnamurti's was of a brilliance and intensity I have never seen before. Do I have an aura? Yes. In fact you do. - It's funny, I can't see it. - I can. Well, you can see it because you're a psychic, right? You have telepathic powers. So tell me, what am I thinking now? Miss Seymour, psychic power is not something to be joked about. Your skepticism is merely a reflection of a rather limited Western education and upbringing. Well, let me ask you another question which exhibits my limited upbringing. That American boy, young Hubert Van Hook, the one Annie discovered in Chicago before you discovered Krishnamurti here, what does his aura look like? Rather dull, like yours. There are many things which cannot be seen through Western eyes. I don't believe in what I can't see. Miss Seymour, you're a Christian, correct? Yes. Church of England. - And as a Christian, you believe in God? - Yes. Have you ever seen God? No, I have never seen... And Christians believe in the Devil, don't they? They believe that the Devil can walk the Earth, don't they? Have you ever seen the Devil, Miss Seymour? - lndy. - Hey, K. - What are you doing? - I'm meditating. It's pretty hard. I got all the thoughts out of my head once but then I started thinking about apple pie. I'm going for a bicycle ride. - Would you like to come? - Great. At the reception last night, Mr. Leadbeater said that you were sent by God, like Jesus. What did he mean? Who do you think God is, lndy? My Sunday school teacher says that God is an old wise man who lives in the sky. He's got angels all around him. But if you're bad, he punishes you. And if you're good, he rewards you. That is the way a Christian sees God. But remember, lndy, you are in Benares where all the world's religions come together. You know, lndy, the ancient Greeks and Romans and Egyptians believed there was a god for peace and one for war. A god for birth and one for death. A god for everything. Then, the Jewish people decided that there was only one god and the Christians declared that Jesus Christ was the son of this god. He said that God, his Father, had told him to come down to Earth, to save us from our sins. Do you believe in Jesus, Krishnamurti? I believe that Jesus Christ was a great man and a great spiritual leader. But it is not important what I believe. Wow! That is the Buddha. Who's he? He was a great spiritual leader, too. His followers are called Buddhists. Did the Buddha know Jesus? No, lndy. The Buddha was born 600 years before Jesus. The Buddha was born a prince. - A prince? - Yes. His name was Siddhartha. He lived in a big palace. He got anything he wanted. Gold, silver, fine clothes. But all the suffering of the world, disease, poverty, war, was kept from him. Then one day, he walked outside the palace. He saw a sick man, a crippled man and a dying man, and he was really saddened by what he saw. And from that day, he renounced all his wealth. And from that day, he renounced all his wealth. - All of it? - Everything. He left the palace to wander amongst the common people. One day, he sat under the shade of a bodhi tree. He had a vision. He saw why people suffer. Why? I want you to think of something you want more than anything else in the world. I want... I want to live forever. But everybody has to die. You cannot live forever. How does that make you feel, lndy? - Sad, I guess. - That is the answer to your question. You see, people want things they cannot have. And that makes them sad and they suffer. That is what Siddhartha, the Buddha, discovered under the bodhi tree. But what did he do about it? He stopped wanting things he couldn't have and he was content. - Was Buddha a god? - No. Not like the Christian god. The Buddha is a guide for his followers, to lead a more harmonious life. A life based on love and compassion. I like this place. I thought you would. What is this called? - This is a ghat. - What's a ghat? A place where Hindus go to bathe in the river. They feel the water of the Ganges is holy and can purify them. There are more Hindus in lndia than any other religion. What's that? A Hindu funeral. The body is placed on a wood pyre and cremated and the ashes are sent back to this river. That's too bad. Why do you say that? The person's dead. That's sad. Perhaps, lndy. But for the Hindu, birth and death are a part of life. And when you die, you are reborn in another form. Who are the Hindu gods? There are many, many Hindu gods, but the most important three are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. And of those three, Shiva is the most feared and respected. He is called "The Destroyer." This is the temple to Shiva. And here he is. Why is he called "The Destroyer"? He sounds mean, doesn't he? But really, Shiva is a compassionate god. Because in Hinduism, the destroyer of life is also the bringer of life. So what Shiva destroys, he renews and restores. And now tell me, Helen, what did you really expect to find here last night? A lot of raving lunatics, Holy Rollers speaking in tongues. No, Mrs. Besant, nothing as exotic as that. Though I have to admit, though, that your reputation, well... So you thought "the infamous Mrs. Besant." I'd be a wild- eyed rabble rouser, living in sin, practicing strange occult rituals. Yes, I'll accept that. Perhaps I did. And now, how do you find her? To be a highly intelligent, dignified and independent woman. How very kind. You know, Helen, those are the very words I would use to describe you. So now I think you need no longer call me "Mrs. Besant." I am by nature a formal person, Annie. Have another cup of tea. Actually, I'd love one, but I think I'd better go and find Henry. Have you seen a young American boy who was here with Krishnamurti? Yeah, yeah. They went bicycle riding. What are you reading? Isaac Newton's Principia Mathematica. That's ambitious. This is an lslamic mosque, the house of worship for the city's Muslim population. Come on. I'll race you up. You know, lndy, the Muslims worship one God as Allah. Allah's messenger's name is Muhammad. Who's he? Muhammad said that he was the successor to Jesus Christ. Really? Muhammad was born in Mecca and was raised by his uncle. He became a very wealthy man. But when he was 40 years old, he received a calling from Allah to preach the word of God to all people, that men should be kind and respectful to each other rather than hateful. His revelations and teachings are recorded in one book, called the Qur'an. Is that like the Bible? Yes. For the Muslims, it is very much like the Bible. Gosh. All these different religions. May I ask you a question? Why did Mrs. Besant bring you here from Chicago? She said I was going to be the new world teacher. She said it was prophesied. But then what happened? Well, when Mrs. Besant and I got here, Mr. Leadbeater had a book that said Krishnamurti was the new world teacher and now everybody looks up to him and I think it's all a fake. A fake? Why do you say that? Well, when Mr. McAllen and Mr. Mukherjee heard about the book... The men who donated the money to the Society the other night. Yeah. When they heard about Mr. Leadbeater's book, they got angry because they weren't mentioned in it. So then, Mr. Leadbeater changed the book and said that the spirits talked about them, too. And now everyone's in the book and they're all happy. And I think Mr. Leadbeater made the whole thing up and I can prove it. Her baby's dead. The final proof. For a proper English woman, you subscribe to a strange set of manners, Miss Seymour. I don't believe I gave you permission to go through my personal belongings. My actions are defensible given the circumstance. I know what you're doing. Oh? And what am I doing? I've learned you were thrown out of the Theosophical Society, Mr. Leadbeater. You then attempted to ingratiate yourself back in by discovering the new world teacher, a simple lndian boy by the name of Krishnamurti. But the fact of the matter is you chose him arbitrarily, did you not? Your allegations have no basis in fact, Miss Seymour. But since you believe that they're true, what do you intend to do? Expose you. I'm going to tell Annie. Go right ahead. - You mean that? - Oh, yeah. You are welcome to tell Annie Besant. Now get out of my office, Miss Seymour. Oh, when you're done with the book, please have it returned. Helen. - Something is troubling you. - Yes, Annie. I don't actually know where to begin. Tell me. It has to do with Charles Leadbeater. - ls there something Charles has done? - Yes, there is. What? - The book he wrote about Krishnamurti. - Yes? - ln my opinion, it's a fraud, Annie. - I don't know what you mean. I mean exactly what I say. I think he made it all up. You can't actually be serious. Charles was expelled from the Theosophical Society, wasn't he? Yes, but those days are over now. And he was re- admitted because he supposedly spoke to the spirits who told him Krishnamurti was the chosen one, the next world teacher. Charles did see the spirits and Krishnamurti is the new world teacher. You obviously don't understand. I understand very well, Annie. I believe Charles wrote two versions of the book. He only mentioned the prominent members of the Theosophical Society in the second version, because they were upset they were left out of the first. He did not. He did nothing of the kind. Annie, he did. You believe he did. Why? I have the original manuscript that proves that he did. Look at it. - I won't look at it. - Look at it, Annie. Obviously, Charles had several different revelations at different times. That's obviously what happened. I don't need to look at it. But, Annie... Helen, Charles Leadbeater does not control me. No one does. I appreciate your concern. But there are many things you just don't understand. You're a highly educated woman. You think intellectually, logically. We in the Society have gone beyond logic. Also, I think you've failed to realize the hypocrisy of your position. Hypocrisy? I beg your pardon, Annie. You have faith in your god. A god of compassion and tolerance, have you not? Yet you have no tolerance for my faith. But your faith is in a young boy. It was clear to the disciples from the first moment they saw him that Jesus Christ was special. Was it not? Yes, it was. And it is clear to me, as clear as daylight, that Krishnamurti is special. My faith has nothing to do with Charles Leadbeater's book. But, Annie... The truly spiritual life is not based on logic. It is based on faith. We in the Society understand that. And I'm sorry, Helen, but you do not. Goodbye, Annie. Thank you. Here. Keep this. Thank you. But what is it? It's a baseball card. That's Ty Cobb. I shall keep it to remember you, lndy. This is for you. Water from the river Ganges. You are my friend. You are my friend, too, K. Yes. You've asked me questions which I would not answer. You've asked me about Mr. Leadbeater, and the Theosophical Society. They have been very kind to me. Is what they say true? Are you a god? No. I'm not a god. But they say that you're this great spiritual leader. Why? Because they're searching for someone to lead them to God. - Can't you? - No. No person can lead another to God. Each must search for God alone. Krishnamurti... I was still wondering, who is God? God is not a Buddhist or a Hindu, or a Muslim or a Christian or a Jew. God is in every person and in every living thing. There is one thing that all religions say: that God is compassion. God is love. So that's why you showed me all those different religions, isn't it? Yes. Goodbye, K! - Where are they? - I don't know. I can't think of a time your father has ever been late. It really ought to have... Maybe that's them. There they are. What was the problem? The conference ended late and there was terrible traffic on the way here. It was really my fault, I wasn't feeling very well... - Mother! - Mrs. Jones. Mother! - Open the door. - Okay. You'll be all right, dear, once you get on the train. Right, come on. - How sick is she, Father? - Quiet, Junior. Helen, would you mind seeing if there's any more water? - Thank you. - Of course. - ls she gonna be all right? - I don't know. The heat perhaps. Or something she ate. I'll be all right, darling. Don't worry, I just... I just felt a little... - I just felt a little faint. - Just don't talk, Anna. - Rest. - I'm really... Please don't fuss. I feel so silly. I know I shall be perfectly all right once we arrive. - More? - Yes. Henry, try and read. Try it... - Are you feeling better, Mother? - Yes, Henry. - Are you sure? - Yes. I told you that I'd be fine. Mother, come here! Come here, look at that. Right down there. Isn't it amazing? Oh, that's beautiful. - Do you see it? - The Great Wall of China. Professor Jones? Welcome, Professor Jones. - Thank you. - I will take you to your hotel. - I have the carriage waiting. - We'll follow you. Here you go. Wow, this is great! Henry! Henry, just slow down. Wait till tomorrow when we start on our journey to see all the wonders of China. Be so kind as to present my compliments to Fen Yu and tell him I shall look forward to seeing him. Thank you. You're going to see wonderful things, Henry. Things you'd never imagine. Professor Jones, Fen Yu presents his compliments. He looks forwards eagerly to a discussion. Splendid. He will be at your disposal after tomorrow afternoon. That's excellent news. And please tell Fen Yu that the honor is entirely mine. Tomorrow? But what about our trip? - Well, we'll have to cancel it. - Cancel it? Henry. Now, Fen Yu is the greatest translator of Western literature in Peking. This really is a wonderful opportunity. I understand. And I hope to read his translation of the Arthurian legends. Of course. Never mind. But we'll just have to go without you. - No, that's out of the question. - Why? Well, you can't go off on a jaunt on your own. Well I shan't be on my own, I will have Henry and Miss Seymour. We'll be fine. - No, I'm sorry. It's impossible. - But why? Well, you can't go gallivanting around China. Especially after what happened on the train. Oh, nonsense, I'm completely well now. Besides, the trip will be good for Henry. While you meet with Mr. Fen Yu, we shall take in some of the wonders of China. My dear, I'm not happy about this. It's... Oh, don't worry. We shall have a most lovely time. - Won't we, Henry? - Yes. Yes. Very well, come on. Here we have the Gate of Heavenly Purity. That was for... Yes, Henry. And look at those lanterns there. What are those? Those are lanterns to light the palace of the young princess. - Wonderful. Marvelous. Yes. - Yes. Yes. Yes. Please, Miss Seymour, allow me. Anna, I'm still not happy about you going off on this jaunt by yourself. You know you're not fully recovered. Oh, nonsense. I was over the fever a week ago. I would have you know that American ladies are renowned for the strength of their constitutions. - Mother, look... - Besides, Miss Seymour and I have two strong men to look after us on our journey. Professor Jones, I have every confidence in Li Shung Sui. I'm sure you cannot wish for a better interpreter and guide. I'm sure not. And we are extremely grateful to him for undertaking this task. Oh, yes, indeed. Mother, can I ride on the baggage cart? Henry? Henry, dear, you... You'd get your seat dirty. And don't scuff your shoes! Come here. Come here. And remember, Anna, he is not on holiday. Mr. Li and I have devised a very interesting and informative itinerary. Yes. Highly educational. I'm sure Junior is delighted to hear that. They say that education is a journey of the mind. So, what could be better than to travel with a book in hand? Traveling without one. So long, Annie. If you're determined to go, you'd better be off or you'll miss your train. Now, darling, don't you worry about us. We are going to learn all about China and we are going to have the greatest fun doing it. Faster! Faster! Sweetheart, no. Think of the poor rickshaw man. - Quicker? - Quicker. Quicker! Quicker! The Great Wall of China was designed by the Emperor Qin, - whose aspiration was... - Excuse me, Miss Seymour. - lt is pronounced "Chin." - Oh, thank you, Mr. Li. Emperor Qin, who was a wise but ruthless man, reigned from 221 B.C. to the year 210 B.C. Henry, are you paying attention? Now, Henry, do you remember what we said about Chinese dynasties? They were named after the families of Chinese emperors. Emperor Qin was the first to unify the territory we now call China. The time of his rule is known as the Qin Dynasty. And just as in America we speak of the Revolutionary Period or the Civil War, in China, we speak of the Qin or the Ming Dynasty. Oh, my, look at that. What? Let me see. What? Let me see. Every Buddhist temple has at its entrance four guardian kings. They protect the world against attacks from evil spirits. The red- faced statue is the guardian of the south. Also called the Lord of Growth. The Laughing Buddha is officially known as Milè. This type of Buddha represents happiness and good fortune. Henry, please don't run up here. It's too dangerous. - Oh, Mother. - Henry... Oh, at last. There it is. The Great Wall. It starts at Shanhaiguan, by the sea. How long is the wall? I'm not quite sure. About 3,000 miles, I think. And it was built by Emperor... Henry, Emperor... Qin. Why do you think he built it? Do you think he just woke up one morning and said, "Hey, let's build the Great Wall of China." Well, not quite. But very nearly. Parts of it were built earlier as fortifications and watchtowers. But Emperor Qin conceived the idea of one continuous wall to mark the limits of his empire. You mean he built the whole wall himself? Oh, no. Other emperors came after him to complete the wall. Millions of men were conscripted. Like building the Pyramids. Yes. But that was 2,000 years earlier. And, of course, they were not fortifications but tombs. This too is a kind of tomb. They say that in some places, a man died for every yard of the wall. Must be the longest graveyard in the world. Mr. Li! Did you see where Henry went? No, Mrs. Jones, I don't believe I did. Master Jones! Master Jones! - Henry? - Here I am. Oh, Henry. Mom! So, we travel to Jinan county and visit Qufu and we may manage to visit the Mungyeong Temple on the way back. That is a long journey, Miss Seymour. We would have to hire a conveyance at the end and it would probably not be very comfortable. Still, it would be so interesting. Don't you think so, Mrs. Jones? Oh, yes. To say that we had seen the birthplace of Confucius would truly be something to remember. Henry, have you learned the chronology of the dynasties yet? You know, Miss Seymour, I think it's more important to learn the language of the country than it is the history. You mean you haven't learned them. The Shang Dynasty. The Chu Dynasty, the Qin Dynasty. The Han... The Tang Dynasty, the Sung Dynasty. Yuan Dynasty, Ming Dynasty and... The Manchu Dynasty. You left out the Sui Dynasty, the Three Kingdoms and several others. Oh, sorry. Mr. Li... - Might I have a word with you? - Certainly. You see that man there? He used to be on the train. He's been following us. - Surely it's just a coincidence. - Mr. Li, I'm not stupid. I beg your pardon. He's been watching my mom. Why would he do that? Perhaps just because she is a foreigner. My father says the Chinese don't like foreigners. They wanna throw them all out. - A few revolutionaries perhaps. - That's what he is. He's a revolutionary. Do you think he has a bomb? Should we throw him overboard? - What shall we do? - Now, young Henry... A man does not act without thinking. Everything in nature depends upon balance. Action must be controlled by knowledge. So, there are five elements, metal, wood, fire, earth and water. Yes. Fire is fed by wood. And after the fire has burned itself out, there remain ashes which become earth. In the earth are found metals from which water springs. The water feeds the trees and thus the circle is completed. So nature finds its own balance. - Mom... - Yes, sweetheart. It's time for bed. We have to make an early start in the morning. - But, Mom... - Come on. It's time for bed. The innkeeper says that he is very reliable and that he speaks English. Any man calling me Ah Pin. - He says his name is Ah Pin. - Ah Pin. Number- one chop walkie! Is he saying that we have to walk? No, no. In Pidgin, "walkie" is used for all means of transport. What's Pidgin? It is used by Chinese people to foreigners who don't understand Chinese. - It's very quaint, isn't it? - Yes, indeed. Mrs. Jones, Miss Seymour, are you sure you want to take this journey? The roads are very bad and this cart will not be comfortable. Mr. Li, we are seasoned travelers by now. I'm sure that we'll be fine. Mr. Li, what's the Chinese word for mother? Hey, ma? Oh, Henry, you know how much I dislike it when you call me that. - It's Chinese. - No. Not quite. I'm afraid you called your gracious mother a horse. - No, you said... - I said, "ma. " Ma means "mother." Ma means "horse." In Chinese, inflections change the meaning of a word. Chinese, very tricky language, huh? Hey, ma, my head hurts. Oh, Henry dear, you've been running around too much. Now, stay with mother and calm down. - Are you all right, Mrs. Jones? - Why, yes, of course. But Ah Pin says we must go chop- chop before the rain comes. I don't think Mr. Li approves of Pidgin English. - lt is very convenient. - But perhaps not very dignified. The Chinese language is a difficult one to learn and there are many dialects, but... But you agree with Henry, that people who go to a foreign country should learn to speak the language. Where is Henry? - Master Li! - Excuse me, ladies. There's been some misunderstanding. He was told he was needed here. Nothing to worry about. Oh, boy! - We shall not see him again. - Oh, boy. - Wait till I tell Miss Seymour and Mom. - Henry. - I don't think we should tell them. - Not tell them? He was just a common thief, but still it might alarm the ladies and Ah Pin would lose face because he left his cart and the luggage at the bidding of a stranger. You took the time to think and then you acted wisely and so you have your own approbation. You do not need the applause of others. I guess so. There's Henry. I was afraid for a moment you might have gotten lost. No. Evidently, the stupid man was saying there was something wrong with the horse. No. Ah Pin was just apologizing for his unsuitable horse and he promises to hire a bigger, stronger one when we come to the country roads. There may be rain. Mom, my head hurts. I don't feel so good. You don't feel so good? Well, his head does feel rather hot. - Do you think he has a fever? - Oh, why, surely... Yes, he does seem rather feverish. How much further? I'm not sure. I've never been to this part of the country before. Are we almost there? I don't think so, sweetheart. I don't think so. Mr. Li, how near are we to the mission? I don't know. Mr. Li, Ah Pin, why have we stopped? We just need to cross this river. Mrs. Jones! Miss Seymour! - Could you help me with Henry? - Okay. Are you all right? Miss Seymour, are you all right? Are you hurt? Everything is gone. My bag? Oh, my bag! Ah Pin, where's my bag? Mr. Li, be careful, Mr. Li. Give me your hand. Mr. Li, ask them please to light a fire. And make a pot of tea. Tea always helps. We must get him out of these wet clothes. If only the luggage hadn't gone in the river. All our food, clothes, medicine, all our money. - We really have lost everything. - What's in your bag? Only books, I'm afraid. And my little reading lamp. Drink it down, sweetheart. It'll do you good. Mr. Li? Where is the nearest doctor? There's a doctor in the next village. - A Chinese doctor, Dr. Wen. - Was he trained in America? No. He practices traditional Chinese medicine. What about the American mission? There is an American missionary who is a doctor. But the mission is at least three days' ride away. And Huang Feng does not have a horse. Mama! Mama! It's all right, Henry. I'm here. Mother's here. - I need to go home. - I know, sweetheart. We'll go home very soon. And when we get home, you know the very first thing we'll do? We'll go to Uncle Pete's farm. You can feed the chickens and you can have a ride on his pony. Isn't that a good idea? Hush- a- Bye, don't you cry. Go to sleepy, little baby. When you wake, you shall have All the pretty little horses. Huang Feng only inherited about half an acre. Half an acre? Why that's not enough to keep body and soul together. I think it is not easy. No. We mustn't impose on these people any longer than we have to. You're right. But they are glad to welcome you into their home. Hospitality is very important in China. Mom, I've got a pain. Henry, sweetheart. What's wrong? Where does it hurt? His fever's returned. His head is hot but he's still shivering. Let's get him covered up and get him away from the window. Oh, sweetheart. Well, maybe we could have a proper fire. Mom, sorry. It's all right. Ah Pin has found the horse. The cart is not too badly damaged. He and Huang Feng are mending the wheel right now. Excellent. Did he find the luggage? No. I'm sorry. It must have been carried downstream. Well, it can't be helped. We must get Henry to the doctor as soon as possible. Henry isn't well enough to travel. Oh. He's very ill, I know he is, and I wish that there was a doctor near, but... You're quite right. Henry should stay here. We will send Ah Pin to fetch the doctor. Oh, yes. Mr. Li, would you ask Ah Pin to come in here. He must leave as soon as possible. Yes, Miss Seymour. If only I hadn't insisted on this trip. It's all my fault. Oh, no, Miss Seymour. Of course it isn't. If it's anyone's, it's mine. My husband told me that it would be dangerous to make this journey, but I wouldn't listen. If anything happens to lndy, I don't... Miss Seymour, Ah Pin says he can set out right away. Does he know the way? Me sorry. Me belong that first son have plenty sick. Jos pigeon man fetchy, chop- chop. What on Earth does "jos pigeon man" mean? "Clergyman." You see, he has understood perfectly. Yes, as long as he understands the clergyman must also be a doctor. Yes, as long as he understands the clergyman must also be a doctor. - I'm going with him. - lt will be a very hard journey. A long way over bad roads. All the more reason for me to go with him to make sure that he doesn't dawdle. I'm sure we can trust Ah Pin. I'm sure he means well. But if the doctor isn't there, will he be able to insist on finding him and bringing him back? Well, Mr. Li could go with him. No. You'll need Mr. Li here to explain to the family what you need. I can be far more useful fetching the doctor. Mom? Am I gonna die like Susie? Oh, honey, of course not. Your sister was very little and she was never very strong. Now she's in Heaven with Grandma. Am I gonna die and go to Heaven? One day. But not yet. Susie. Yes. Yes, please. Mr. Li! Mr. Li, are they here? No. - ls it the doctor? - No. It's just a man who has some business with Huang Feng. Go away! Henry! Henry! Henry! - Go away. - Somebody help me. Help me, please. No, go away. - No, no, sweetheart. It's just me. - No! No! Let me go. I don't need you. Get out! No, it's Mother. I'm right here. - Let me go! - It's all right. It's all right. It's all right. It's all right, sweetheart. It's all right. It's all right. How soon will the doctor get here? Another two days, certainly, if they have found a way and the doctor is at the mission. It's all right. It's all right. Mr. Li, what are they doing? They are praying for your son to have a safe journey. No. I won't let him die. I won't. Please fetch the Chinese doctor. Please fetch the Chinese doctor. Why doesn't he do something? He's looking. That is the first rule. To look. After that... After that, he will feel the pulse. He asks what the symptoms were and when they first appeared. Well, he said his head hurt. It was about three or four days ago. And then the morning after we arrived here, he had pains in his stomach. Terrible diarrhea. He says your son is very ill. The viscera has all been damaged. He must be treated with acupuncture right away. If they have not been too severely damaged, and he can restore the balance between yin and yang, young Henry may still recover. What is he doing? He's preparing the acupuncture needles. Needles? Mom! He's gonna put those needles into my son? No! No! No! He's gonna hurt me. Mom! Don't let him hurt me. - You must leave. - No! If he's to save your son's life, you must leave. I don't understand. My son is going to die. Can't anybody do anything? You must stay here. Please, Mom, come back. Please. - Mom! - You must trust him. - God! - He's Henry's only hope. Where are you? Where are you, Mom? If my son is going to die, I want to be with him. Let me go. Mom... Where are you? Where are you? I'm scared. I know, sweetheart. I know. Mom, is he going to hurt me? I don't know, Henry, but we must trust him. He's going to make you well. He says that acupuncture has been in use for thousands of years. He will start the treatment in the back to reduce the fever. We need to turn him onto his stomach. Yes. All right, sweetheart. Here we go. Here we go. Young Henry, cough. Bigger cough. Even bigger cough. Energy flows through the body through certain channels just as streams and rivers flow through the earth. Each organ in the body has its own meeting point on the skin and thus it is possible by inserting a needle at these points to affect the flow of energy. And thus restore the balance between yin and yang. Yin and yang are the two opposites which control the universe. And, thus, the human body. Yin is moist, weak, feminine. Yang is strong, dry, masculine. These two must be in harmony, for how can there be spring without autumn or summer without winter? No. No more medicine. He says the child is perspiring again and that is good but he must drink this medicine to restore his strength. No. No. No more medicine. I don't want him disturbed anymore. He says, "Let it be as the mother wishes." He has done what he can. If his strength holds, he will recover. - Miss Seymour. - Mr. Li. Dr. James Morton, from the American mission. Mr. Li Shung Sui, our guide and our friend. - Li Shung Sui, delighted to meet you. - Nice to meet you. And this is Dr. Wen Chiu. Really? Dr. Wen Chiu? - How is he? - It's still too soon to tell. Very ill. You're very fortunate. Some of these local doctors are charlatans. But Dr. Wen Chiu is very famous and he's had some remarkable successes, especially with typhoid. Typhoid? I would think so, from what Miss Seymour has told me. Well, young gentleman, I would say that you are on the mend. Mom. Thank you. I see Ah Pin has found some of your luggage. - I know. Isn't it splendid? - Yes. Now, don't forget, Henry isn't out of the woods yet. He needs plenty of rest. And like Dr. Wen Chiu said, very light diet. No need to fatten him up too soon now. - Goodbye, Dr. Morton. - Goodbye. Mai- Ling. You won. You've won. That's good. Mr. Li, what is going on? Huang Feng cannot grow enough to feed his family. He had to borrow money and he gave this land as security. So they've come to take the land? - Where is my purse? - No. No, Miss Jones, you mustn't. He would lose too much face. Miss Seymour, you mustn't press upon... You mean he would rather lose his land and his home, than lose face? Excuse me. I am Mrs. Henry Jones. I am Mrs. Henry Jones. This is a fine gentleman, and his wife is a great lady. I owe them a debt of many thousands of dollars. And yet never once have they reminded me of that debt. Huang Feng, do not let me leave your house without allowing me to give you just a small token of what I owe you. My, how lovely. This reminds me of what we call in America Thanksgiving dinner. Henry, would you like to say grace? I mean, it's just like my friend Krishnamurti said, that God is in every person and in every living thing and that there's one thing all religions say: God is compassion and God is love. I would say so. It's beautiful.