Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from May, 2023

Cart Driver

A cart driver was struggling to haul a heavy load up a hill when a wolf bit his buttocks. He wanted to let go, but if he did, the cargo and the cart would crush him. So, he endured the pain and kept pushing. By the time he made it to the top, the wolf had bitten off a piece of his flesh and left. The wolf, seizing the opportunity when the man was unable to fight back, secretly tasted a piece of him. It was cunning, yet somewhat amusing. 車夫 有車夫載重登坡,方極力時,一狼來嚙其臀。欲釋手,則貨敝身壓,忍痛推之。既上,則狼已齕片肉而去。乘其不能為力之際,竊嘗一臠,亦黠而可笑也。

One who is a jack-of-all-trades but master of none will not be successful

Once upon a time, in the land of ancient China, there lived a creature known as the Wu Weasel. The Wu Weasel was a peculiar creature, known for its vast array of skills. The renowned philosopher Xunzi often spoke of this creature, remarking: "The Wu Weasel is skilled in five ways, yet it always ends up impoverished." The Wu Weasel was not an ordinary weasel; it held a certain uniqueness that differentiated it from its kin. According to the "Er Ya," an ancient Chinese dictionary, the Wu Weasel was a special kind of weasel, almost mythical in its reputation. An old scholar named Guo Pu provided a vivid description of this creature. "The Wu Weasel," he said, "resembles a small fox, yet its bearing is much like a bat. It has fleshy wings, a winged tail, and flanks. Its fur is a purplish red, like the hue of the setting sun, its back is colored like the green mugwort and ai grass, and its belly gleams with a yellowish tint. Its beak and chin are sprinkled

Qilin

Once upon a time, in the ancient lands of China, there was a charioteer named Zi Chushang from the esteemed Shusun family. One day, while gathering firewood in the immense wilderness, he chanced upon a creature of exceptional beauty and grace - a Qilin. The Qilin, a revered mythical creature in Chinese lore, was considered akin to the Western Unicorn. Its awe-inspiring features, as described by scholar Lu Ji, included the body of a deer, the tail of an ox, the hooves of a horse, and a captivating yellow hide. It bore a single horn with flesh at the end. Its voice was as harmonious as bells and musical stones, reverberating in the tranquil wilderness. The Qilin moved with an air of disciplined orderliness. It selected its dwelling place with meticulous care, ensuring to avoid stepping on living insects or damaging thriving grass. This solitary creature did not herd with other animals nor travel with them. It was adept at evading traps and could not be ensnared by nets. The Qilin's a