Sima Guang was a famous politician and historian of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). There were many stories told about him. He was very intelligent and studied very hard when he was a little boy. He liked reading historical books, which gave him a solid foundation for his future compiling of a pioneering reference work in Chinese historiography named Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government. Thanks to his reading, he set himself the ambition of saving his country. He was well-known for his virtue and erudition.
His story of smashing a vat which was full of water to save his friend has been passed down to us. His calmness and wit impressed those who heard the story. The story goes like this: One day, Sima Guang was playing with his little friends in the back garden of his family. It was a large garden and full of various rare plants. The garden had a rockery covered with flowers and grass. In front of the garden gate stood a big vat full of water which was so deep that it could submerge an adult standing upright. In ancient times, there was no tap water and the vat was used to store water for daily use.
Some of his friends were playing hide-and-seek. They covered one child’s eyes with a handkerchief and then hid themselves: some ran eastward, some westward, and others towards the top of the rockery. They were laughing and running, and the entire garden echoed to the sound of their laughter. Also, some other friends were trying to catch bugs in the grass; and there was one child who was trying to find out whether there were any fish in the vat. But the vat was too big and tall for him to reach the edge, so he asked another child to help him. The child held his legs and pushed him up with all his might. However, he pushed too hard and the child toppled over into the vat full of water.
“Help! Somebody!” screamed the boy, struggling in the water. Hearing the cries, the other children rushed over and cried out loudly, “Help! Somebody has fallen into the water!” The vat was too large; the water was too deep, and none of them could find a way to save their friend. It was too late to call any adult. Seeing their friend sink down in the water, they were all terrified. Some ran out of the garden, crying and shouting, to try to find help. At that time, Sima Guang, quiet and calm, bent over the edge of the vat and reached his hand out to the child in the water. But he was too short and weak as he was only a child, and he couldn’t pull him out of the water. At a loss what to do next, he chose to run outside to find some help. He suddenly stumbled over a rock as he was running. An
idea flashed into his mind: Why not smash the vat with the rock; the water would pour out; then the boy would be saved.
Ignoring the pain in his legs, he picked up the rock and rushed over to the vat. Breathing deeply, he lifted the rock high and using all his strength he smashed the vat. Once, twice… and finally “Clang!” the vat was broken and the water gushed out. The child survived. After a while, some adults arrived and helped the child out. He was saved. The story quickly spread, and little Sima Guang was widely praised for his wisdom and courage.
