Chen Tu first met Chen Shezhi as he was getting ready to officially accept apprentices from the village. As tr…
Chen Tu first met Chen Shezhi as he was getting ready to officially accept apprentices from the village.
As tradition required, the villagers seeking his approval offered gifts of dried meat before Chen Tu.
Suddenly, a dusty little figure desperately squeezed through the crowd.
A small, pitted stone bangle was held up before Chen Tu.
Though rough and uneven, carving a solid stone bangle without breaking it was incredibly difficult for a child.
"Little one, did you make this stone bangle?"
The child did not speak, only nodding, his face flushed red from trying to utter a word.
The villagers advised, "Master Chen Tu, that boy stutters! How can a stutterer learn a fine craft?"
Chen Tu merely smiled, accepted the stone bangle, and slipped it onto his wrist.
He wore it for many years to come.