The River That Takes Children

Lanterns were hung along the village outside the wall. Drums were sounding and a long table was being set, and there was a feast that night, they were told.

The travelers went in to ask for a night’s lodging. It was the largest house in the village and full of people, and from an inner room came the sound of weeping.

The two brothers who owned the house came out and bowed. Sanzang asked why a house holding a feast was weeping. “Tomorrow we give up two children.”