In Henan Province, there once lived a doctor who went to Anhui to practice and sell medicine. As time passed he settled there yet remained unmarried. He also had only a few apprentices.
Because he knew of a medicinal herb that could strengthen the bones and muscles; enrich the Liver and Kidney when pan roasted, he cured many patients that suffered from Jaundice. He wanted to pass down his “family formula”; All his disciples seemed good and he could decide which was the right one. Since tradition told him to only pass down to one kind-hearted student, he had to test them all.
“ I am so old and weak that I no longer gather and sell medicinal herbs. You have all learnt my skills, please go and make your own livelihoods,” the doctor told his students.
The first student thought that since his teacher had sold medicine all his life, he must have prospered and saved a lot of money, so would inherit if he stayed with him. So he said “ I shall not leave you. Master, you have taught me all these skills, so I should serve you.” Other students also agreed.
As a result, the teacher went to live with his first student. At first he took care of him really well so that the teacher was satisfied. But shortly, when the teacher used to be out, the student untied his teacher’s luggage/belongings searching through. He found nothing but medicinal herbs that yet to be sold. The the first student changed his attitude and stopped being so concerned for his teacher. The Master then realized the bad intention of the first student and went to live with the second student.
Unfortunately the second student was no better and did the same as the first. He went to the third student yet he was also know better than the first two. He left and remained homeless.
The fourth and youngest student saw this situation and asked the old Doctor to live with him. “Please come and live with me” he asked the teacher. “ I don’t have my own money, how can I stay with you and eat food without paying?”
The fourth then exclaimed “ Teachers and students are like fathers and sons, shouldn’t a student serve his teacher?”
When the Doctor saw the sincerity of his student, he decided to stay with his fourth student. He remained there happily and after a few months the old doctor fell ill. His student helped his recovery and stayed at his bedside as if he were his own father. Moved by this one day, the doctor called the student and untied a small cloth that he wore in his clothes.
“ This medicinal herb is a treasure. If you prepared by roasting it, this herb can strengthen the bones and muscles, enrich the liver and kidney. As soon as a patient with the corresponding conditions takes this medicine, their disease will be cured. Now I pass this onto you.” Said the doctor.
The shape of medicinal herb is very strange, since the edge of the stems resemble an Ox’s knees. The student thus named it “Niu Xi” (Ox Knee).
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