We listened to The Hobbit on audiobook during our recent trip to Canada, and now Mr. E is copying some passages from it for handwriting practice. One of them tells of the compassion Bilbo came to feel towards Gollum, which prevented him from killing him.
A sudden understanding, a pity mixed with horror, welled up in Bilbo’s heart; a glimpse of endless unmarked days without light or hope of betterment, hard stone, cold fish, sneaking and whispering.
As for Prince Jen, his long hair bound up under a tall cap stiff with gold embroidery, his robes wrapped around him and tied with a sash at his waist, he composed his features in a look of calm dignity, as he had always bee instructed to do. However, with the cheers of the townsfolk ringing in his ears, he found this attitude more and more difficult.
“Has there ever been a day like this?” he cried. “Has the sky ever been so blue? Or the sun so bright? The air has a fragrance I never smelled in the palace. What is this spicy perfume?”
“Let me analyze it,” Mafoo sniffed loudly. “Ah. Yes. I can identify the subtle ingredients. One part fried cabbage. One part wandering livestock. Two parts old rags. Four parts sweat. The rest, a concentrated absence of cash. Mixed with the correct proportions of thievery, beggary, and a generous pinch of greedy officials, it is called ‘Sublime Essence of Wretchedness,'”
“You make sport of my ignorance,” Prince Jen said reproachfully.
“No, no,” Mafoo protested, “Ignorance is a common ailment. In time, it goes away. Unless it proves fatal.”
Passing through the outskirts of Ch’ang-an, Prince Jen was appalled to observe the ramshackle dwellings, patched together with paper, straw, and plaster, none of them as spacious as the palace kennels or pigeon coops. Street urchins picked through heaps of rubbish, a bent-backed old woman and a dog lean as a skeleton disputed over a bone in the gutter.
“One of our nicer neighborhoods,” Mafoo remarked.
“Can there be worse?” Jen burst out. “I never realized–Mafoo, I must learn all I can from Yuan-ming, and come back as soon as possible to help these folk.”
“Agreed.” Mafoo slapped the reins. “Especially the part about ‘as soon as possible.'”
I think this is going to be a good one. So far, along with compassion, we’ve encountered examples of bravery, tolerance, patience and respect, with a good dose of humor to boot. And that is just in the first three chapters!
Wednesdays with Words is hosted by ladydusk.
I've heard wonderful things about Prince Jen. This shows me why. I love the connection you made with The Hobbit is great. We could all use more compassion around here. Thanks!
"Ignorance is a common ailment. In time it goes away. Unless it proves fatal."
Excellent and well said.
And we are also big Hobbit fans. 🙂
I have this book ready, to be read with my boys. Now I can't wait!