Book excerpt: "The Tale of Zen Master Bho Li is the story of an eight-year-old orphan who becomes a beloved Zen Master. Meet the cast of memorable companions who assist him on his captivating life's journey: The Firethroat - an exotic little bird that saves him from a life threatening circumstance ; Soyu Sei - the Dangerous Granny whose wise and tender guidance civilizes the feral child he'd become without taming his wild heart ; Master Wu - abbot of Silent Thunder Zen Monastery, whose successor he would become ; and Master Bho Li's three most problematic disciples: Sei Wot, Noh Hui, and Wai Mi, from each of whom he learns an important lesson.