a Chinese Piece on Filial Piety

Here's a translation of an often quoted piece on filial piety on the Chinese forums. It was said that this was originally sighted on a wall of a nursing home.

My dear child,

When you were little, I spent a lot of time teaching you how to use a teaspoon, to eat with a pair of chopsticks...to tie your shoes, button your shirt...teaching you to how put on the clothes, comb your hair, wipe off your snort...I live in the sweet memories of those little things that we did together.. So, when I forget things or forget how to have a dialogue with you, please give me a little time, wait for me for a little while and let me think it over again...But it is quite likely that in the end I am going to forget about what I was going to say altogether.

My dear child, do you remember the first baby's song you learned to sing after we practised hundreds of times together? Do you remember that every day I racked my brain to answer your endless little questions that popped up from nowhere? So, now when I repeat an old story over and over again or sing a nostalgic song over and over again, please feel for me and allow me to linger in those memories. I was only hoping that you would chitchat with me.

My child, now I always forget to button up my shirt or tie my shoes. When I'm eating, I may spoil my clothes. My hands are shaking when I comb my hairs. Please do not hurry me. Please treat me with more patience and gentleness. When we are together, I can feel the warmth in my heart.


My child, my feet don't support me well. I can't stand steadily, let alone walk. So, please, could you hold my hands tight and walk alongside me, slowly just like when I held yours and we walked forward step by step.


Well, what to say. I was born with a short temper (that's a perfect excuse). I think I'm prone to being impatient with my parents. Already, I count the times that mom repeats herself in the phone, oh and dad too. And I normally coldly say "you've just said that for a dozen times, now would you please stop." If they repeat again, I'd say "now that's the 13th time." I really should be more gentle. Maybe Chinese do otherwise have a high standard on the filial piety and obedience which I struggle to reconcile with. But what's being said here is actually quite basic and reasonable. I'm sure we all need to be reminded of this sometimes.