Author: CHUNG Yoon Ngan
Date: 01-31-12 05:58
捕蛇者曰 The Snake Catcher Said
By Liu Zongyuan (柳宗元 773AD to 819AD)
There was a very unusual kind of snake in the outskirts of Yongzhou (永州
in the present day county of Lingling 零陵縣 in Hunan province 湖南省).
It was black in colour with white stripes on its body. Grass and shrub would
die after they had been touched by this kind of snake. A person would surely
die if he or she were bitten by it because there was no antidote medicine
to that person. However, if this kind of snake were caught, it could be
used as medicine after it was killed and dried by wind for sometime. As
medicine it could be used to cure leprosy, arthritis, tumour and many other
kind of illnesses.
Doctors at that time asked the Emperor to issue decree to obtain this kind
of snake for medicine purposes. Twice a year citizens could use this kind
of snake as tribute to the Emperor. Those who presented the tribute would
be exempted from paying taxes to the Government for one year. Residents
in Yongzhou were competing to catch the snake.
There was a man whose surname was Jiang (蔣). For three generations his
family had been specialized in catching this kind of snake. He was exempted
from paying taxes because he was a professional snake catcher. I asked him
about the condition of snake catching. Jiang replied,
“吾祖死於是﹐ 吾父死於是﹐
今吾嗣為之十二年﹐幾死這數矣"
My grandfather was killed due to catching this kind of snake. My father
lost his life in this profession. I have been catching this kind of snake
for almost
twelve years. Many a time I nearly lost my life."
Jiang made his reply with a sorrowful face. Feeling sorry for him I asked
again,
"Since you hate this profession so much why don't you change your occupation.
I will ask the local official on behalf of you to waive your tax-exemption
and reinstate you to pay taxes like other ordinary citizens."
He was in tears after hearing this. He said,
" 君將哀而生之矣﹖則吾斯役之不幸﹐未若復吾賦不幸甚也。”
" Have mercy on me if you want me to live. My profession is less risky than
the waiving of my tax-exemption. Right from the beginning if I did not take
up this profession I would have been in a state of extreme poverty. For
three generations we have been living here. The living conditions of my
neighbours are getting worst and worst every day. With rain or shine they
have to work hard tilling their fields. Either they are sick or well they
have to drudge on. Yet they
can barely survive. Many of them died of starvation. Those families who
moved here with my grandfather, only one out of ten survived. Those families
who lived together with my father, only two or three out of ten left. Those
families who lived with me twelve years ago, have only four or five out
of ten remained. They were either dead due to harsh circumstances or shifted
to somewhere else. I stay without any trouble because I am a snake catcher.
Whenever those fierce tax collection official came here to collect the taxes
they shouted and screamed at the residents demanding them to pay for their
taxes. They threatened them with prison terms if they failed to pay up.
Everybody was frightened and afraid of them. Even the dogs and fowl were
hurry-scurry away hiding.
Everyday at dawn, I woke up and went to have a look at the snake I caught
and kept in the jar. If it was still there I would go back to sleep and
got up later. I would keep and look after it carefully. When the time arrived
for me to present the snake to the Emperor I would gladly oblige. From then
on I would live happily by tilling my fields.The tax collectors dare not
bother me
because I am exempted from paying taxes by the Emperor.
After all, there were only two occasions in a year that I had to risk my
life. The
rest of the year I was free and enjoying my life. In comparison with my
neighbours
I consider I am much better off than them. They are struggling and suffering
everyday. If I were being bitten to death by the snake it would be worthwhile
because at least I had lived happier and longer than them. I had enjoyed
life more than them. Why should I complain?"
Confucius said, " 苛政猛於虎 The harsh system of a government is fiercer
than a tiger."
Written by Liu Zongyuan (柳宗元 773AD to 819AD)
From the Classic 古文觀止
Posted to asiawind.com
By CHUNG Yoon-Ngan (鄭永元)
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