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Story 127: Where is the Lifeblood of the Fish?

Where is the Lifeblood of the Fish?

Author: Anonymous

Once upon a time there was an old man who had three sons. When the old man was dying, he called his three sons to his side and told them to unite, love and live in harmony. He also left a wish-fulfilling sword named “Sangzhu Richi” in his collection to his eldest son; a piece of sparkling gold to his second son; and at the same time, he left eleven goats named “Dunstutter Baqing” and sheep, left to his beloved young son. Then, he closed his eyes and left the world.

One day, the three brothers saw a big fish in the river. The boss said: “The lifeblood of the fish is on the head, so you should hit its head!” The second child said: “No! The lifeblood of the fish is on the waist, so you should stab its waist!” The third child said: “Both of you are wrong. It’s dead! The fish’s lifeblood is on its tail, so its tail should be cut off.” The three brothers were red-faced and furious over how to kill the fish, and finally filed a lawsuit with Zongben, asking for Zongben’s decision.

At night, the boss was lying on the mat and couldn’t sleep. In order to win the lawsuit, he sent the ancestral Ruyi sword to Zongben in the middle of the night and asked Zongben to agree with his claim in the judgment. Zongben nodded quickly and agreed. : “Of course!” Similarly, the second child sent precious gold, and the third child sent rare goats and sheep, asking Zongben to speak for him, and Zongben readily agreed.

Three days later, the day of judgment arrived. When the three brothers entered the court, they each used clever argot to remind Zongben not to forget his bribe. The eldest brother bowed to Zongben and said loudly: “With the sword in its sheath, you are not afraid of any enemy. Master Zongben, the lifeblood of a fish can only be on the head!” When the second eldest brother came in, he also said: “The Golden Principle. Underground, light shines into the sky.

Master Zongmoto, the lifeblood of a fish can only be found on the waist!” The younger brother’s meaning is more innocent: “The sheep escaped from the mountains, leaving their footprints in the plains. Master Zongmoto, the lifeblood of the fish can only be found on the waist!” If the child is not on the tail, I will not agree.”

Finally, Zongben stood up from the throne and said very seriously: “The boss is right. I saw fish in spring, groups swimming upstream against the current, all relying on the power of their heads. At this time, the lifeblood of the fish should be On the head. Boss, I declare you the winner!” After saying that, he picked up a low-quality khata and asked the clerk to hang it around the elder brother’s neck. The eldest brother looked at the two younger brothers proudly, like a cock that had won a fight. Zongben coughed, and then said: “What the second brother said is not bad! I saw the fish in the fish hole in winter, layer by layer, all supported by the waist.

At this time, the lifeblood of the fish, if If it’s not on the waist, then where is it? Brother, you also win!” According to Zongben’s bad thoughts, the clerk also presented a low-quality khata to the boy. At this time, the third child couldn’t sit still and was about to have a seizure.

Zongben waved his hand, telling him to calm down, and said: “What Lao San said is not unfounded. I saw the fish in summer jumping into the air one by one, relying on the power of their tails. At this time, the lifeblood of the fish was probably It’s on the tail. Third child, I declare you also a winner.” So, the third child also got a bad khata.

After the verdict, Zongben announced his resignation and went home to drink and eat meat.

There were three brothers left in the court. You looked at me and I looked at you, unable to say a word for a long time.

Narrated by: Shigatse CPPCC Minji Sonamdorji
Recorded on July 10, 1979
March 5, 1982