Grandfather traveled through many villages in search of the boys, but he could not find them.
He went to Qibao City and stayed there for months, then continued on to Bohesi City.
Exhausted from walking such long distances, he finally reached the banks of the Huangpu River.
He stood still, gazing across the water, hoping the river's surface might reveal the faces of the children he longed to see.
He sat down, holding his musical instrument, and began to play sorrowful melodies.
Passersby gathered around, drawn by the sound, watching him as he sang:
*"O my love… I cast you out of the house,
but I never cast you out of my heart.
I thought you would wander to the green grass and rest there.
I waited at home for you, but you did not return.
I told myself: be patient,
he is only training, he will come soon.
He will come with his sister for lunch.
You know well that I cannot eat
unless they sit before me.
Now, instead, I sit with a strange dwarf before me.
It feels like you have been gone so long.
Where did you vanish?
Have you turned into dwarves?
Where do you live?
In the forest?
Far away—or close by, beside me?
If you can hear me,
I have a dwarf at home who speaks and sings.
So just come back… and be with me."*