Wand SMoke:
The Seven Scholars

The Course of time

by MarQuese Liddle

Assiduous scholar Kŏng was busy overburdening himself with preparations for the annual pirates’ moot at Kaizoku Cove when he discovered his inkstone, brush, and schedule scroll had been stolen. At once furious, he stormed from his quarters, crossed the length of the two-tiered terror galley Tòngkŭ, and into the poet Rinzai’s half-cabin alcove. Immediately, he accosted the monk for the prank he pulled.

But when Kŏng arrived, he discovered Rinzai at leisure drinking tea and composing poetry with his fellow scholar Chuang and Captain Fènghuáng’s macaque, Ryōshin. This drove Kŏng even madder, flinging him into a lecture about how properly to portion time and the importance of punctuality.

When Kŏng finally finished, huffing and puffing and sweating from exertion, Rinzai side-eyed him and replied, “Without question, there is a proper time and place for strict adherence to schedules; in fact, that’s why, just now, Chuang and I have allotted some time to collect our calm and come to one mind on things.”

“Mayhap that’s fine for you! But what about my stone and brush and scroll?” questioned Kŏng, retreating with words from the absurd verbal trap laid bare before him by the mischievous monk. He must think I’m as gullible as Ryōshin to fall for that! thought the assiduous scholar. Indeed, only the monkey could be so easily distracted from the matter at hand—but so, too, is it true that only a man can be tricked into trading a leash for a net.

“What of your scroll?” Rinzai asked. “That wasn’t your concern just a moment before when you thought it more important to instruct us on time proportions. So which is the proper priority, recovering your scroll or lecturing? But before answering, perhaps it would be best if you sit with us and drink some tea. Then, maybe, once your mind is one harmonious being, your lost articles will find you when you’re ready.”