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墨書 Inktalez
Seeking the Hermit Unencountered
Author: Jia Dao
Poem Title: Seeking the Hermit Unencountered
Under the pine, I ask a young boy,
He says his master has gone to gather herbs.
Only in this mountain,
The clouds are deep and I do not know where.
Explanation of the Poem's Meaning:
This poem was written by Tang Dynasty poet Jia Dao, expressing the poet's situation of searching for the Hermit but failing to encounter him.
"Under the pine, I ask a young boy": The poet meets the Hermit's apprentice or young assistant under a pine tree; "young boy" here refers to a young apprentice or servant.
"He says his master has gone to gather herbs": The boy tells the poet that his master (the Hermit) has gone up the mountain to gather herbs; "master" refers to the teacher or mentor, and "gathering herbs" is something the Hermit often does, signifying a pursuit of medicinal materials from nature.
"Only in this mountain": The poet learns that the Hermit is indeed in this mountain, but his exact location is unknown.
"The clouds are deep and I do not know where": Due to the thick mist in the mountain, the specific whereabouts of the Hermit cannot be discerned; "deep clouds" describes the heavy fog in the mountain, and "do not know where" indicates that the Hermit's location is difficult to find.
The entire poem conveys the poet's longing for a reclusive life and his regret at not being able to meet the Hermit through descriptions of the environment surrounding him. The language in the poem is concise yet rich in imagery, making it one of Jia Dao's representative works.
Story Title: A Strange Encounter in the Mountain of the Small Island
I live in a small village nestled in a valley, where I often hear the elders tell stories about a Hermit in the mountains.
It is said that the Hermit possesses extensive knowledge of herbal medicine and can heal even mortal wounds, but very few have been able to see him.
One time, while I was picking mushrooms in the mountains, I got lost. Just when I felt despair, a kind stranger appeared and helped me find my way home. This incident sparked a strong interest in the Hermit within me. Since then, I have been searching for the Hermit everywhere, hoping to become his disciple and learn about herbal medicine from him.
On this day, filled with excitement, I set off up the mountain with a bamboo basket on my back. Along the way, I hummed a tune, feeling joyful. I knew that finding the Hermit would not be an easy task, but I believed that as long as I was determined, I would surely find him.
Halfway up the mountain, under a tall pine tree, a little boy was playing. He looked to be only six or seven years old, dressed in simple clothes, with a big smile on his face, looking very happy. I approached him and curiously asked, "Little friend, what are you playing?"
The little boy turned his head, his bright eyes looking at me as he smiled and replied, "I'm playing hide and seek. Do you want to join?" I shook my head with a smile and asked, "What’s your name?"
"Tong Tong," the little boy answered obediently. I smiled slightly and then asked, "Tong Tong, do you know the Hermit?"
Tong Tong tilted his head and looked at me curiously: "How do you know about the Hermit?" I excitedly grabbed Tong Tong's hand: "So you know where the Hermit is?"
Tong Tong blinked and pointed to the misty mountain peak: "My master has gone up the mountain to gather herbs; he should be up there."
I felt a wave of disappointment as I looked at the vast mountains; finding the Hermit would not be easy at all. Tong Tong leaned closer to me with a serious expression: "Why don't we go look for the Hermit together?"
I was surprised by Tong Tong's suggestion. I nodded, shouldered my bamboo basket, took Tong Tong's hand, and we walked into the dense forest together. In the woods, the trees were lush and their branches formed a canopy overhead; sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, creating patches of light on the ground.
We walked along the forest path, stepping cautiously as small animals occasionally darted past our feet, bringing delightful surprises.
As we passed through the woods, a clear stream appeared before us. The water flowed gently, like a jade ribbon, winding and twisting as it made its way into the distance. I stood by the stream, gazing at the distant peaks, my heart filled with unwavering conviction. No matter what, I had to find the Hermit.
Tong Tong pulled me along the stream as we walked upstream. Along the way, we chatted and shared jokes, and before we knew it, time slipped away. However, there was still no sign of the Hermit.
We traversed dense woods and crossed the clear stream, yet the Hermit remained elusive. Still, I did not feel disheartened because in the process of searching, I learned a lot about herbs and gained a good friend in Tong Tong. Sometimes, the journey and what we learn along the way are more important than the destination. I think I began to understand this truth.
I looked down at Tong Tong, who flashed me a radiant smile. I softly said, "Tong Tong, do you know? I've actually already found the Hermit."
Tong Tong looked at me in confusion, "Where? I didn't see him."
I smiled and patted his shoulder, "Far away yet close at hand; you are my Hermit."
Tong Tong was taken aback for a moment before bursting into joyful laughter. I took his hand and together we walked deeper into the valley. Although I hadn't found the Hermit, I had gained more than what the Hermit could offer.
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