THREE CHINESE FABLES

New Zealand Tablet, 23 October 1913, Page 61

THREE CHINESE FABLES

Chinese literature, almost unknown to Western peoples, is rich in parables and fables. Dr. W. A. P. Martin in his book, The Lore of Cathay, gives several which may not be as good as ASsop, but are greatly superior to those of some of his modern imitators. A tiger who had never seen an ass was terrified at the sound of his voice, and was about to run away, when the donkey turned his heels and prepared to kick.

‘lf that is your mode of attack,’ said the tiger, ‘ I know how to deal with you.’ • In another fable the donkey gets even. A tiger captured, a monkey. The monkey begged to be released on the score of his insignificance, and promised to show the tiger where he might find a more valuable prey. The tiger’ complied, and the monkey conducted him to a hillside where an ass was feeding an animal which the tiger had never before seen. ‘ My good brother,’ said the ass to the monkey, ‘ hitherto you have always brought me two tigers. How is it that you have brought me only one to-day The tiger fled for his life. Thus a ready wit wards off danger. ' , The principle of the next fable the Chinese always apply to their European instructors in the art of war. ; A tiger, finding a cat very prolific in devices for catching game, placed himself under her instruction. At length he was told'there was nothing more to be learned. V ‘Have you taught me all your tricks?’ ‘Yes/ replied the cat. ‘Then/ said the tiger, ‘you are of no further use, and so I shall eat you.’ , ; The cat, however, sprang lightly into the branches of a tree and smiled at the tiger’s disappointment. She had not taught the tiger all her tricks.