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Fearing the Shadow, Hating the Footprints
From Zhuangzi ‑ Yu Fu, this parable tells of a man fleeing his shadow and footprints. Faster running only worsens his plight until he collapses. It teaches wu‑wei: stillness, not frantic striving, resolves self‑inflicted troubles.
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Suspecting a Ghost
This Daoist‑style parable recounts how frightened Mao mistakes a fellow traveler for a ghost and pushes him into a river. They later meet and discover fear, not spirits, created their shared terrifying illusion.
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Lin Hui Abandons the Jade
This commentary on Zhuangzi ‑ Shan Mu unpacks “Lin Hui abandons jade” parable. It contrasts profit‑driven ties and enduring natural bonds, expounding that genuine friendship is plain water like rather than sweet wine like.
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The Marquis of Lu Feeds a Bird
This article interprets the sea bird fable from Zhuangzi ‑ Zhi Le. The well‑meaning Marquis of Lu treats a seabird with grand human rituals, which frighten and kill it. It warns against projecting one’s own values onto other beings.
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Yu the Great Taming the Floods
This is an ancient myth and legend. Yu (大禹) was the chieftain of the Xiahou clan (夏后氏), also known as Xia Yu or Rong Yu (夏禹、戎禹). According to tradition, his father, Gun (鲧), was ordered by Emperor Yao to control the floods. Gun stole the Heavenly Emperor’s “living soil” (息壤, Xirang) to build dikes,…