I
love to climb mountains to pick exotic plants for food or simply just to collect
them. Back in 1985 on a cold, wintry morning in December, I set out alone
with a haversack and some simple equipment on a quest to fulfill my childhood
dream of conquering Mount Tawu.
As
I reached the end of the paved roads in the mountain area, I ventured into
a narrow path to begin my tedious journey uphill. Bathed in perspiration,
I surmounted countless difficulties to conquer peak after peak in an attempt
to reach before nightfall the summit of Mount Tawu, towering some 3,000 meters
above sea level. At four in the afternoon, light began to fade and the mountain
area was shrouded in the twilight haze. I could no longer tell the direction,
and fear began to creep over me. Crows hovering above my head squawked as
they made their way back to their nests, adding to the terrifying atmosphere
on that desolate mountain. All at once I regretted having made such a reckless
decision to be heroic and venture up the mountains alone. Night was falling,
and I was caught half way. It was impossible for me to double back because
I could not find my way. I was lost.
Like
a grotesque black cloud, darkness slowly enveloped me. I ran and charged about
frantically, hoping to find my way out of the terrifying mountain forest before
it was completely dark. In my panic, I missed a step and found myself tumbling
like a falling rock before landing heavily at the bottom of a deep pit. I
had no idea how much time had passed before I slowly regained consciousness.
It was so dark that I could not even see my fingers. I turned on my flashlight
and looked around. I was trapped in a steep pit almost thirty feet deep. It
was impossible for a climbing expert -- not to mention Spiderman, to climb
out.
"Help!
Help!" I shouted at the top of my voice. Though I knew very well that
there was no one around, my desire to survive made me call out in desperation.
In my endeavour to escape, I pulled down all the creeping plants hanging down
from above, and the weeds and plants growing on the walls of the pit also
met the same fate. Still, I failed to get out of the pit.
"What
to do now?" I fell frustrated to the ground and wept. In the pit, I slept
when exhausted, and shouted when I woke up. I had no idea how much time had
passed. Having eaten all the food I carried, I ate wild fruit and plants.
When I finished the last bottle of mineral water, I quenched my thirst with
my own urine. My strength was ebbing slowly.
Suddenly,
a thought flashed into my confused mind: "Oh! Master!" All the while,
my panic and confusion had made me forget You completely. It was true that
I was in a desperate situation, and Master had often said, "Your prayers
will definitely be answered, if you pray sincerely." I decided to give
it a try! Immediately I sat up straight, held my palms together, closed my
eyes, and then prayed to Master to help me get out of this predicament. As
I prayed, I felt so sad that I cried like a baby. Not knowing how long I had
prayed and cried, in a half-awakened state, I suddenly saw a ball of light
moving before me. I looked closely and saw that it was a child wearing a red
bib and with two buns on his head. He was climbing slowly up the wall of pit.
Finding encouragement in the easy way that he was ascending, I got up, followed
his example, and inched my way upward. Suddenly, a dazzling brightness almost
blinded me! I had finally climbed out of the pit!
"I
am saved! I am saved!" I yelled and jumped in joy. Was it a dream? With
suspicion, I pinched my thigh with force. Wow! It hurt! It was true. I was
not dreaming! In great excitement I looked back, wanting to embrace the adorable
child who had helped me get out, but he had disappeared. I realized then that
he was not an ordinary child; he was Master's manifestation form who had come
to save me in answer to my prayer.
With
great emotion I put my palms together and prayed, "Thank You, Master!"
I looked up and saw the clear skies and the shining sun; the cold front had
passed. I took a deep breath of the fresh air and stretched my sore body.
But how was I supposed to get out of this maze-like mountain? My short-lived
joy was soon replaced by a new worry. No matter what, I could not hesitate;
to survive, I had to gather my confidence to challenge the impossible. I would
rather get lost in the mountain than sit here hopelessly. I must keep going;
only then would I have a chance. "Master, please help me once more, so
I can reach home safely." After praying in my heart, I roused myself
and picked up my weary body, ready to go.
"Hey...!"
Suddenly I heard a cry from nearby. "Hey...!" I answered joyfully.
Again I put my palms together and thanked Master. As the voice came nearer,
I saw a group of indigenous people running towards me, and of course I happily
ran forward to greet them.
"Are
you Mr. Chen? Mr. Chen Xin Yi?" The leader asked me. I feebly replied,
"Yes!" "The police station had received a report from your
family saying that you were lost on Mount Tawu, so we came to look for you."
"Oh! Thank you very much!" I grasped each young man by the hand
and thanked them. I told them in detail the story of my accident and how I
incredibly climbed out of the pit. They were amazed. Only when they told me
the date did I know that I had been trapped in that pit for six days. Observing
that I was very weak, the young aborigines cut some bamboo branches and made
a simple chair to carry me downhill.
I
had survived it! I am wholeheartedly grateful to Master for saving me, and
also to Master's messengers -- the young aborigines, without whose earnest
help I could not have reached home safely, even after I had climbed out of
the pit. Thank You very much, Master! 
True
Stories
