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The snipe and clam’s quarrel
A clam was opening its shell to bask in the sun when a snipe pecked at it. The mussel clamped down on the bird’s beak, and held it fast.
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Indirect mediation through borrowing fire
An old woman was friendly with her neighbor, a young wife, whose mother-in-law suspected her of stealing some meat and wanted to drive her away.
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The box that outshone the pearl
A native of the state of Chu decided to sell some pearl in the state of Zheng.
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Waiting by the stump for more hares
There was a peasant in the state of Song. One day a hare dashed up, knocked against the stump in his field, broke its neck and fell dead.
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