Once the white dragon went down from heaven to a cool lake, taking the form of a fish.
Then a fisherman shot at him and pierced him in the eye. The white dragon flew up at once to complain to the Emperor of Heaven.
“I took the form of a fish when I went down to the lake.”
The Emperor of Heaven responded, “Then of course a fisherman would try to catch you. How can you blame him?”
Allegorical Meaning
This is a story from Shuo Yuan. Wu Zixu, the minister, uses this tale to dissuade the King of Wu from mingling with commoners, emphasizing that rulers abandoning their ceremonial dignity may invite chaos or danger. It reflects ancient Chinese political philosophy that leaders should maintain dignified separation.
Dangers of Concealing Identity
The core parable warns that when powerful figures (like dragons or rulers) disguise themselves as commoners (like fish), they risk being treated as such and losing their inherent protections. The white dragon’s injury stems from abandoning its divine form.
Hierarchy and Social Roles
Heavenly Emperor’s judgment underscores that societal roles carry inherent expectations – fish are legitimate targets for fishermen, just as commoners may unknowingly disrespect disguised nobility. The story reinforces Confucian emphasis on maintaining proper social order.
Accountability Principle
Notably, the dragon bears responsibility for its predicament by choosing to transform – suggesting that those who voluntarily lower their status must accept the consequences.
Cautions for realm/career/industry transitions
The story warns against complacency and the arrogant belief that one can safely navigate realms outside one’s expertise or inherent stature without risk.
Objective harm occurring without subjective fault
Punishment is withheld due to lack of culpable mental state. The fisherman did nothing wrong when he tried to catch a ‘fish’ for he had no way to realize that was a dragon in fish disguise.
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