Below is the PHOTO PROMPT. Where does it take you? Let your imagination run free, free from the confines of the box. 😉
PHOTO PROMPT Copyright – Marie Gail Stratford
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
KONG FUZI
Like his imposing father, Qiu towered over most boys his age. Yet, unlike Shuliang He, he preferred serenity to battle.
“Eat.” Zhenzai stroked her son’s cheek and tapped his crooked nose. “Your rice is getting cold.”
He rolled his chopsticks between his thumb and forefinger, his gentle eyes filled with pain and tears.
“Mama, why am I so ugly?”
She hugged him. “Not so.”
“It is so.”
“Listen to me.” She tightened her embrace. “Someday you will be a great teacher.”
“No one will hear me. They will only see my face.”
“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.”
********
To learn more about Zhenzai click the Chinese calligraphy below.
**It seems that no two articles agreed on every point of the teacher’s life so all should be taken with an extra tablespoon of soy sauce and stirred with the proper chopsticks.
********
“The honorable and upright man keeps well away from both the slaughterhouse and the kitchen. And he allows no knives on his table.”
Kong Fuzi
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Rochelle – I love how you give the personal stories behind these characters… even if they do need to be taken with a tablespoon of soy 😉
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Dear Jessie,
I think we tend to forget that people in the history books were just that, human beings with thoughts, aspirations and emotions. Glad my story worked for you.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Behind every great man … and so the story goes. Lovely story Rochelle. As always.
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Dear Sandra,
As a mother of three sons I take comfort in that. 😉
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Recent life events just proved the truth of the moral in your story, Rochelle. Some people just have no perception of true beauty. 🙂 Nice take on the prompt.
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Dear Ann,
People tend to look at the external without digging deeper. I fear I’m as guilty as anyone.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I doubt that. 🙂
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Dear Rochelle,
I’m confused…
No, really…
Great story, and one that, like Confucius’ maxims, adages and quotes, will live on long after your bones fade away.
Asian sub-continent, capitol of Peru, Sultan of Swat.
Aloha,
Doug
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Dear Doug,
How
Did the rose
Ever open its heart
And give to this world
All its
Beauty?
It felt the encouragement of light
Against its
Being,
Otherwise,
We all remain
Too
Frightened.
(Lots of Lima beans to you.)
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Mothers know best. I love the very last line and the inspirational quote attached 🙂 you have a gift for bringing characters to life Rochelle.
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Dear Amanda,
I can’t ask for a better compliment. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, Lovely story and, as usual, I learned something from it. Well written as always. 🙂 —Susan
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Dear Susan,
I’m always pleased when a reader says that she or he learned something from what I’ve written. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Confucius say that one very good story, Rochelle! You touched on exactly what I love most about history–the stories of the real people who lived during those times. We’re all at some point guilty of judging by looks. The real question is can we get passed that and look further.
As for the knives, as I use one to eat, I’m doomed. 🙂
janet
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Dear Janet,
Confucius notwithstanding, it’s difficult to cut a juicy steak with chopsticks. As always the proper tools for the job. As you know, I cannot eat Asian food with a fork. It just doesn’t feel right.
I found the life of Confucious or Kong Fuzi fascinating. It’s so easy, particularly with the way he’s been parroted and satirized to forget he was a real person.
It is hard to look beyond the surface to underlying beauty, particularly in our cosmetic society.
Welcome back from your world travels. Thanks for swinging by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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More life lessons for me from my big sister Rochelle. Excellent job with these characters, and thank you for the links.
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Dear Helena,
Big sister? I like that. 😀
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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fine story – it is my experience that Srircha improves everything, even thought 🙂
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Thank you, Bill. Great to see you here. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it Words to live by. Thanks for the reminder, Rochelle.
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Dear Alicia,
And they are sometimes hard words to live by, aren’t they? I point a finger at myself.
Thank you,
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
you certainly have a gift for bringing out the human side of history. This is a great, enlightening piece. I learn a lot from you.
-David
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Dear David,
This is high praise from a writer I admire and respect. I don’t take it lightly.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well, you know I love this example of “the hand that rocks the cradle”. What a wonderful scene you created with dialogue in this teachable moment at the kitchen table.
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Dear Honie,
There was so little to be found about Zhengzai aside from the fact that Confucius loved her dearly and mourned her untimely loss for three years. At any rate her story sent my imagination reeling.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Two thoughts came to me when I saw this picture, Rochelle. One was the seed of my eventual story, the other was our propensity as humans to judge each other and see ourselves as superior. I went with the first, but you – whether that’s where the story started or not – have nailed the second and taught me a lesson or two at the same time. Your historical fiction always teaches me … as does your writing.
Jen
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Dear Jennifer,
Actually I came back to your latter circuitously. I started my research trail with the history of chopsticks which led me to Confucius which led me to his mother and her rather sad story. Have I mentioned how much I love the process?
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The process in general and yours in particular are always fascinating to me. I had the feeling you hadn’t started with the judging, but it brings your story full circle with the prompt whether intentionally or not.
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Dear Rochelle,
I love your story this week and feel honored that it was inspired by research you did after viewing my silly photo.
Peace,
Marie Gail
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Dear Marie Gail,
It’s a great photo and already I’m seeing that it inspired a wide range of stories.
Of course I started with the history of chopsticks and came to Confucius, etc. I did find some valuable rules for chopstick etiquette in the process as well. Research time is never wasted. 😉
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Very lovely story Rochelle. Few people are able to see inner beauty. Beautifully written.
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Dear Indira,
I can’t say that I always see past the exterior either.
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Exterior strikes at the first glance where as for interior one have to go through. Takes time. Nobody’s flt.
Shalom.
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This is such a gentle and kind take on the picture! You saw much behind the sticks!!!
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Dear Claudia,
It’s not what you’re looking at but what you see. 😉
Thank you,
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I found this to be just lovely. I found myself wanting to find out more!
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Dear Woman on Pause,
Careful, research is addictive. 😉
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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I love that last line. I keep re-reading it.
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Dear Dawn,
You made me smile.
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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This week is the first time I’ve done one of these. I took “100 words (more or less)” kind of liberally at 185 words, but as I read through all the others, nobody else seems to have colored outside the lines quite as much as that.
How much on the more side of “more or less” is one allowed to stray? 😛
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I remember my favorite teachers as the most beautiful people in the world. Again, you delivered a profund story, Rochelle.
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Dear Loré,
Most of us, I think, had at least one teacher who let a profound mark on our lives.
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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That was a doozy of a Kung Fuzi.
Great story. I love Chinese fables as much as I love Chinese food.
Remember this, grasshopper:
One should never lose face, unless it is an ugly one.
Chow fun.
Randy
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Dear Randy,
Confucius say, “Too much chow make yu fat.”
Pleased yu like homely story.
Sharom,
Rochelle
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Lovely story! Very nice take on the prompt 🙂
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Thank you, Nirvana.
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Such a beautiful, tender piece. I will have to read more of Kong Fuzi.
Sarah
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Dear Sarah
Once I found Kong Fuzi and his story I was entranced. I knew my story had to be about him, I just wasn’t sure at the beginning how it would be. There’s a lot to the man who never heard the name “Confucius”…a Latin rendering. .
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A wonderful story and a history lesson to boot. Well done.
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Dear J.D.
History is a wonderful thing.
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely story – I love how you always bring the historical figures in your stories to life.
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Thank you for such a lovely comment, Ali. Being that I’ve written something that brings a two dimensional figure to life gives me a sense of accomplishment.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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If only everyone had such an understanding mother. Nicely done. ;0)
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Dear Phyllis,
Of course my story is fiction and conjecture. But when a man mourns the loss of his mother three years there had to have been something special there.
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Rachelle,
One never really stops missing a loving mother. My died in 2000. I didn’t have a problem, she lived a good life. But there are time when it would be nice to still have her here.
Blessings,
Phyllis
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What a tender, tender story – there’s nothing quite as enduring as a mother’s love. Beautifully conveyed, Rochelle.
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Dear Diana,
My mom used to use the expression, “a face only a mother could love.” It seems that Confucius mother saw only her son’s inner beauty,
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So awesome. This is something new to me. Sometimes we imagine famous people as having lives filled with nothing but applause and appreciation. Most of the time that’s far from the truth. Your stories always provide wonder and education. I love that. Another great one, Rochelle. 🙂
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Dear Eric,
According to videos and articles, Confucius live a long life filled with victories and disappointments. In fact, he died believing he was a failure. Happy to pass on the education.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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“Confusion says: This is the END.” — Froggy from Our Gang.
Kent says: Educational and very well-done.
“They’re breaking into the fortune cookies.” –Radar O’Reilly
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“And someone’s broken into the sacramental wine.” -Margaret Houlihan
Shortie Girl say, “Thank you for nice comment.”
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thank god for mothers. there will always be one person in this world who will always recognize the beauty and goodness in us. 🙂 a very lovely story, rochelle.
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Dear KZ,
If we’re fortunate, we have a mother like that. 😉
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Someone above used the words “gentle and kind” to describe your story. I concur. Beautiful, loving in tone, and quite intriguing, because I now want to know more about Kong Fuzi!
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Dear Vijaya,
P.T. Barnum is credited with the phrase, “Always leave them wanting more.”
Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, Touching Story with a message 🙂
I like the quotes you have shared too.
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Dear Anita,
I love where the research trails lead. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It took me a moment to fall in – chopsticks, no forks – but I love the story.
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Dear Liz,
Glad it clicked for you. I prefer that writers take some time to soak and let their ideas percolate. Some can do this in a half hour. Although I’ve had a few ideas drop into my head and materialize quickly it doesn’t happen often. This story took at least a day of research and five hours off and on of construction.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You (almost) always make me learn something, Rochelle. This is a beautiful story. Thank you!
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Dear Lynda,
Two high compliments. 😀
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A very interesting quote! Dare I disagree with such a wise man?
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Dear Lauren,
Wise yes. But not practical when eating a t-bone steak. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So that’s where he got his wisdom. I never knew.
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Dear Alice,
Some of it may be my own conjecture. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is beautiful, Rochelle. It reminds me a lot of my younger brother and dad, both of which have struggled with this exact issue for years. My brother was born with a number of congenital defects, and my dad suffered a disfiguring injury in a war.
There is indeed a lot more to people than looks alone.
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Dear Emelie,
Thank you for sharing your story with me. It’s so hard for most of us to look past those things. I’m sure you know better.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a rich offering this week, Rochelle. I love the history and the quote, too. Wonderful story! A course a strong mother is behind it all.
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Dear Amy,
While it’s for the most part conjecture and fiction history points to Zhengsai;s strong influence on her son’s life
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So engaging how you’ve gone back behind the story to consider the characters ‘before they were famous,’ and wonderful how you capture and portray a mother’s love. Love that quote too.
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Dear Sarah,
Many thanks for the sweet comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve often been asked the same question, “Russell, how’d you get to be so ugly?” Just lucky I guess. Also, it doesn’t hurt to have poor taste in clothing.
Lovely entry this week, Jillian. it gave me quite a workout. – Cap’n Girth
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Dear Cap’n Girth,
Ugly is as ugly does. 😉 Eyes of the beholder and all that goes along with it. Happy to give you a workout. Step lively now.
Shalom,
Jillian ETYD
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Thank you for the story of Confucius’ mother. I talk about him and sayings quite a bit, but know little of him or his mother. You’ve tweaked my interest to read more.
Lily
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Dear Lily,
Your comments make me very happy. Amazing the things one can find out on the internet, isn’t it?
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle, This is a great story and I love that it is based on history. You are such an interesting person and know just the right thing to say to get our attention! Nan 🙂
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Dear Nan,
Thank you for such sweet and affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
I’m a little late this week, but loved your story. I really like the way you combine history with a human face, makes for excellent reading. I know you like this genre and I think you have made it your own.
Take care
Dee
PS Understand we are having a ‘virtual tea party’ very soon…
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Dear Dee,
I really do love the genre and whenever a photo seems to lend itself I go for it. Sometimes it will take me by surprise.
I’ve heard rumors about the virtual tea party. I think we need to set those wheels in motion. The challenge is finding the time off. Kent’s days off are different than mine.
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You, at your best, Rochelle! This is precisely the kind of story that you truly shine with. The storytelling, the names, the emotion… all the little details that you so carefully craft in your stories. This is fantastic!
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Dear Dawn,
I appreciate you coming by to comment in the midst of your BlogHer-ing. Looks like fun.
Thank you for such glowing comments. I’ll have to butter my ears to get my head through the door.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Butter away my friend! Although, I thought I buttered enough to solve that problem? Or perhaps, that was brownies? No… I assure you, sincere to the core. xo
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That was fascinating indeed and very enlightening. I didn’t know Confucius was derived from the original name of Kong Fuzi. Makes sense now. That link about his mother was equally interesting and shows how crucial she was to his development. Wiki tells me that Confucius’s family, the Kongs, have the longest recorded extant pedigree in the world today. The father-to-son family tree, now in its 83rd generation.
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Dear Subroto,
One of my the things on my research path was a video documentary. Fascinating and informative. One of the people interviewed was a descendant. And as you may have read, Kong Fuzi never heard the Latinization of his name.
Thank you for such affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This was an interesting story made even moreso by the historical link. I had no idea of Confucius’ real name or anything about his early life. Thank you for the story and the history!
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Dear Michael,
Before beginning my research trail I had no idea about Confucius either. I’m happy to share what I’ve learned.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely story and interesting comments. My cup runneth over.
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Dear Patrick,
the comments are always part of the fun.
Thank you
Shalom,
Rochelle
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ANOTHER GREAT STORY.
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THANK YOU ETIENNE. 😀
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Nicely conjured images and Well written. I can picture the scene nicely. Now it’s time to get my back side in gear and get writing again!
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Dear Weltchy,
Thank you and yes, it’s time to throw your pen back into the arena. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loved this…!
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Thank you, Mridubala. 😀
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Of all the weeks to be out of town, I missed a fun one! I love the photo and the story. Educational and so poignantly close to home (as a cleft lip and palate girl).
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