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.
(more…)Category: Fables
Ancient Chinese Fables, Legends, Stories, Tales
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The dog who soured wine
There was a brewer in the state of Song whose wine was excellent.
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The immortality scam
A charlatan informed the King of Yan that he could make him immortal, and the prince bade one of his subjects learn this art; but before the envoy could do so the stranger died. Then the prince, in great anger, executed his subject.
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The man who sold spears and shields
In the state of Chu lived a man who sold shields and spears.
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The fraudulent reed-player
When Prince Xuan of Qi called for reed pipe music, he would have three hundred men playing at the same time.
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Why Zengzi slaughtered the pig
Zeng Shen (505–435 BC), also known as Zengzi, was a prominent disciple of Confucius and one of the key figures in Confucianism.
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Ivory chopsticks
When King Zhou ordered chopsticks made of ivory, Ji Zi was most perturbed. He reasoned: “Ivory chopsticks demand rhino horn cups; rhino cups demand exotic delicacies; delicacies demand silk robes and palace halls. This insatiable chain will end in tyranny and ruin.”
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