(Hung I-nang/tr. by Brent Heinrich)
1. Long ago a mother and her son lived in a little village. Ever since she had given birth to her boy, the mother had experienced frequent stomach pains. When the boy was very small, his father had died, and his mother raised him by herself.
2. Mother, you're not in good health. Shouldn't you go see a doctor?
3. Oh, child...
4. We even have trouble finding food for tomorrow. Where would we find the money to see a doctor?
5. Then I'll buy some medicine from the old man who plucks herbs.
6. Little by little you're growing up! Your mother doesn't need to live forever. Don't waste the money.
7. Mother, please don't talk that way. You've suffered enough on my account. When I'm grown up I'll surely help you live a happy life, so quickly get your health back.
8. The lad bought some medicine. After his mother took it for ten days, her stomach no longer hurt.
9. I want to completely cure my mother. Can you cure her, sir?
10. I can, but the medicine is expensive. Can you afford it?
11. How much does it cost?
12. 500 pounds of rice and 10 pieces of silver.
13. Oh! Where can I raise so much money and rice?
14. Hmm! It seems the boy isn't even clear as to how much 10 pieces of silver are worth. Maybe I can turn a big profit.
15. When will you give us the medicine?
16. I will deliver it tomorrow morning.
17. The lad did not go home. Instead, he hid in a tree and waited. The next day the old herbalist left his house to pick herbs, and the boy followed behind him.
18. The old herbalist plucked several medicinal plants, tossed both the blossoms and leaves into the river, and went back to town.
19. The lad hurriedly scooped up the blossoms and leaves.
20. He hunted down some plants with the same flowers and leaves, and took them back home, roots and all.
21. The old herbalist came as he promised with two pouches of herbs that looked just like the ones the lad had plucked.
22. The lad boiled up the roots of the plants he had plucked and gave the broth to his mother to drink. After two days, his mother's condition got much better.
23. Three days later, the old herbalist came to deliver more medicine.
24. I'm so sorry. I've spent all day calculating. I just don't know how to get so much money and rice. From now on, you don't have to bring any more medicine.
25. If your mother doesn't keep taking her medicine, the sickness will get worse and worse. Perhaps she won't even make it to the middle of autumn.
26. Only rich people can buy medicine to cure their diseases. But the fate of those without money depends on Heaven. What other choice do we poor folks have?
27. The old herbalist could only go home disappointed.
28. The young lad boiled the herbs every day and fed his mother the broth. Not long after, she was completely healed. She could even work in the garden.
29. The boy had no idea what this plant was called. But because of the salutary effects it had on his mother, he called it "the herb that benefits mother," which is the meaning of motherwort in Chinese.
Motherwort
Description: Harvested in spring. Square.
Long-stemmed leaves grow on every section. Small, whorled, light purple flowers appear among the leaves. Attached to each flower are four seeds, which have medicinal attributed.
Properties: Pungent, slightly bitter flavor, cold nature, non-toxic.
Effects: Astringent, diuretic, promotes blood circulation, alleviates hematoma, regulates menstruation and disperses toxins.
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