"Rules for Disciples, teachings of the Sages.
First, filial duty and brotherly respect; next, care and trustworthiness.
Love all widely, and draw close to the benevolent.
With strength to spare, then study letters..."
Snow reflected the white sky, and frost hung from the beams. Inside the schoolroom, a dozen or so young children swayed their heads as they recited the verses on their scrolls, their youthful voices rising to curl around the rafters.
Su Mo stood at the lectern, white-haired and dressed in white. Watching the pupils below earnestly recite the Rules for Disciples he had taught them, he suddenly felt an exceedingly familiar scene surface in his mind.
Yet when he tried to examine that scene, he could not see it clearly. It lay beyond his touch and grasp.
"Teacher, Teacher... what does 'first, filial duty and brotherly respect; next, care and trustworthiness' mean?" a little girl asked Su Mo in her childish voice, her innocent eyes wide.
Faced with the young child's question, Su Mo gently explained:
"'First' means before all else. As the saying goes, 'be filial at home and respectful to elder brothers outside.' First of all, it means you should honor your parents at home and respect your elder brothers outside."
"Next, you should be careful and disciplined in speech and conduct, sincere and trustworthy..."
The little girl thought for a moment, seeming to understand yet also not to understand. Looking at the next line on the scroll, she asked again, "Then what does 'love all widely, and draw close to the benevolent' mean?"
Su Mo patiently explained:
"This line has several meanings... first, 'widely' means broadly: to spread your love far and wide, and draw close to benevolent people."
"Second, love the people, and hold human life dear."
"As the saying goes, though all