Yu Boya was a famous music master during the Spring and Autumn Period. He was bright and eager to learn when he was young. After three years learning from his teacher Lian Cheng. He had already had a good command of the temperament and superb skills in playing the musical instrument. A few years later, his skills in playing the musical instrument had already reached a fairly high level. But he still felt that he could not superbly express the various things which had deeply impressed him. Knowing what was in his mind, his teacher said he would take Boya to his own teacher who would help Boya with his music.
He took him to the penglai Island, a fabled abode of immortals, on the East China Sea by boat. When they reached there, Lian Cheng told Yu Boya to wait while he went to pick up his teacher. Then he disappeared with his boat. Boya waited and waited but his teacher didn't come back for several days. His heart was filled with sadness. The running waters. The flying seagulls and the silent woods all seem to be composing a sad melody. With myriads of thoughts welling up in his mind, he began to play a tune on his musical instrument. He found his music got more expression. It turned out that his teacher was putting him there by himself on purpose to let him find an inspiration in the arms of Nature.
On the island, Boya enjoyed the natural scenarios and listen to the roaring of the great waves. He incorporated the beautiful nature with his music, thus reaching a realm of thought he had never experienced before. Later Boya became a famous musician but his tunes were not immediately by all the people of his time.
One day Boya was boating alongside the river bank. A heavy downfall struck and suddenly Boya felt an urge to play his Guqin. The melodious music became more and more beautiful when he felt someone was listening. Boya came out of the boat, and saw a woodcutter standing on the bank. He knew that this man was keenly appreciative of his talents, because he understood his music. He immediately invited the woodcutter, Zhong Ziqi, to his boat. Full of zest, Boya played the musical instrument for him. When Boya played a piece of music eulogizing the high mountains, the woodcutter said, "The melody is as magnificent and dignified as Mount Tai which reaches to the sky!" When he played a piece of music depicting the turbulent waves, the woodcutter said, "The melody is as vast and mighty as the great rivers!" Boya was excited, and said, "Bosom friend! Only you can understand my music!"
They agreed that Boya would visit Zhong Ziqi again when he's back from his tour. When he got back and visited Ziqi, the later had already passed away because of illness. Boya was so sad. He played a tune before Zhong Ziqi's tomb, then broke his Guqin into pieces. He never played music ever since.
Quoted from History Cultural China
1.
昔年倚棹清江頭；與君邂逅情綢繆。
豈料，而今到江上；不見知音空自愁。
傷心，傷心，復傷心！江漢為我生愁陰。
含情不忍委壘墓；酹酒淋灕空滿斟。
2.
別來各處天一方；清江月夜情難忘。
重來訪君，君物故；令人鬱抑心徬徨。
子期，子期，子期兮！聽我琴中也睨擬語。
調高，曲怨，聲呼號；只為思君淚如雨。
3.
思君苦兮情如癡；琴聲切切相凄其。
相凄其，心轉悲；與世知音更有誰？
知音更有誰？
this was the poem Bo Ya wrote for his friend.
how beautiful is this story on friendship?
there was this movie that Wang LeeHom wrote based on the story. "Lian Ai Tong Gao". the story is really beautiful even though the connection between the scenes are not so smooth.
and, recently i met someone in my life that really really scares me, because he reminds me very much on the movie and the story on Bo Ya and Zi Qi. my one week friend that leaves such a deep impression in my heart and mind. someone who i hav not met before, knows what i am thinking before i can even speak it out? knows me, knows my heart. i'm really amazed how "absurb" is it for me to meet someone like that in my life. like the modern version of Boya and Ziqi. the thing that struck me most is, "how can someone who i had just know for one week and met less than what the fingers on my hands can count made such an impact in my heart?" our friendship seemed to be taking a "pause" after the first week. or is it a "stop"? it's been 3weeks and almost a month since the "pause", but i just cant help. nothing, no words can express how i feel to be away from my friend. only Boya and God will know. my heart really misses my friend deeply. really really.
.jpg)