Chinese Æsop:

Mencius lost his father at an early period, but in his youthful years he enjoyed the lessons of his kind mother, who thrice changed her residence on his account. At first they lived near a cemetery, and Mencius amused himself with acting the various scenes which he witnessed at the tombs, “this” said the lady, “is no place for my son;” and she removed to a house in the market-place. But the change was no improvement. The boy took to playing the part of a salesman, vaunting his wares, and chaffering with customers. His mother sought a new house, and found one at last close by a public school. There her child's attention was taken with the various exercises of politeness which the scholars were taught, and he endeavoured to imitate them. The mother was satisfied. “This” she said, “is the proper place for my son." When they lived in the market-place, near their house was a pig-butcher's. One day Mencius asked his mother what they were killing the pigs for, and was ...

Zhao Qi (Han Dynasty, 赵歧) Chaou K'e (赵歧, Zhao Qi, A.D.108–201) was an official who served as Minister Coachman during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was the author of Commentaries on Mencius (孟子章句), one of the only major commentaries on Mencius from that period still in existence. He is also featured as a character in Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Chaou K'e was born A.D. 108. His father was a censor about the court of the emperor Heaou-gan, and gave him the name of Kea (嘉), which he afterwards changed into K’e for the purpose of concealment, changing also his original designation of T'ae-k’ing (台卿) into Pin-k’ing. It was his boast that he could trace his descent from the emperor Chuen-heuh, B.'C. 2510. In his youth K’e was distinguished for his intelligence and diligent study of the classics. He married a niece of the celebrated scholar and statesman Ma Yung (马融), but bore himself proudly towards him and...