LessWrong (30+ Karma) “Lobsang’s Children” by Tomás B.
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Nov 17, 2025 In this tale of pressure and longing, a child navigates a life of intense homeschooling under his grandfather's strict guidance. He grapples with expectations, learning Chinese and state exams, while yearning for freedom and friendship. A chance discovery of a mysterious box and letters unfolds a family legacy steeped in ambition. The narrative deepens with the exploration of meditative practices, revealing tensions within the family. Ultimately, the narrator wrestles with his identity, keeping his private joys safe while facing the burden of generational expectations.
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Childhood Of Study And Isolation
- Jason describes being homeschooled and driven to study by his grandfather with little freedom or internet access.
- He finds the piano and books as his main companions and longs for friendship and play outside.
Susan And The Cellar Mystery
- Jason recalls Susan, a girl who sneaked into their yard and made him laugh, and the memory's loss after she moved away.
- He secretly investigates a strange box and machine in the cellar and finds letters addressed to his father.
Scroll As Family Obligation
- Grandfather's letters reveal a multigenerational project: a scroll passed through generations with strict preservation rituals.
- The family frames their identity and duty around completing that text, blending love and obligation.
