Juggling with figureshttp://www.asiawind.com/pub/forum/fhakka/mhonarc/msg00836.html
Zhuang Zhou Chuan, a famous early Chinese writer, was born during the
Warring States Period (453BC to 221BC) in 370BC in the State of Chu
(present day Jiang Ling county in Hubei province) and died in 300BC. He
wrote many delightful parables, metaphors and poetic passages. Some of
his works represented the most important formulation of early Taoist
thought. Altogether he wrote fifty-two esays which were compiled into
one volume entitled Zhuang Zi.
Zhao San Mu Si (literally meaning "morning three evening four") was
an essay of parable in the animals section of his books. This is the
story.
There lived a man in the State of Song (present day Shang Qiu county
in Henan province) nicknamed him Ju Gong, meaning the man who kept monkeys,
because of the many monkeys he kept at home.
After living with them for a long time Ju Gong understood the behaviour
and thinking of the monkeys. The monkeys seemed to comprehend what he said
to them. Man and animals were able to live together harmoniously and happily.
With so many monkeys to support Ju Gong became poorer and poorer. He
had to cut down on the family expenditure and reduce the provisions for the
monkeys. He devised a plan on how to economise the food for the monkeys. So
he had a discussion with the monkeys. One day he told them,
"From tomorrow onwards I will give each one of you three
chestnuts in the morning and four in the evening.
Do you think it is enough to eat?"
Knowing that Ju Gong was going to reduce their rations, the monkeys bared
their teeth to show their anger. Seeing their obvious displeasure, Ju Gong
quickly said to them,
"From tomorrow onwards I will give each one of you four
chestnuts in the morning and three in the evening.
Is it enough to eat?"
On hearing this, the monkeys were happier and stopped their protests.
But the monkeys did not know that their master was only juggling with the
figures. They did not understand that three plus four or four plus three
is always equal to seven. Ju Gong was shifting and veering.
Apr 22, 2009
朝三暮四 Zhao San Mu Si
"Three in the Morning and Four in the Evening"
塞翁失马 焉知非福 Sai Weng Shi Ma Yan Zhi Fei Fu
Mr. Sai Lost His Horse, Blessing or Bane
Near China's northern borders lived a man well versed in the practices of Taoism. His horse, for no reason at all, got into the territory of the northern tribes. Everyone commiserated with him.
"Perhaps this will soon turn out to be a blessing," said his father.
After a few months, his animal came back, leading a fine horse from the north. Everyone congratulated him.
"Perhaps this will soon turn out to be a cause of misfortune," said his father.
Since he was well-off and kept good horses his son became fond of riding and eventually broke his thigh bone falling from a horse. Everyone commiserated with him.
"Perhaps this will soon turn out to be a blessing," said his father.
One year later, the northern tribes started a big invasion of the border regions. All able-bodied young men took up arms and fought against the invaders, and as a result, around the border nine out of ten men died. This man's son did not join in the fighting because he was crippled and so both the boy and his father survived.
http://www.iselong.com/English/0001/1187.htm
Near China's northern borders lived a man well versed in the practices of Taoism. His horse, for no reason at all, got into the territory of the northern tribes. Everyone commiserated with him.
"Perhaps this will soon turn out to be a blessing," said his father.
After a few months, his animal came back, leading a fine horse from the north. Everyone congratulated him.
"Perhaps this will soon turn out to be a cause of misfortune," said his father.
Since he was well-off and kept good horses his son became fond of riding and eventually broke his thigh bone falling from a horse. Everyone commiserated with him.
"Perhaps this will soon turn out to be a blessing," said his father.
One year later, the northern tribes started a big invasion of the border regions. All able-bodied young men took up arms and fought against the invaders, and as a result, around the border nine out of ten men died. This man's son did not join in the fighting because he was crippled and so both the boy and his father survived.
http://www.iselong.com/English/0001/1187.htm
Feb 8, 2009
15-Minute Chinese
Ma, Cheng (2008), 15-Minute Chinese: Learn Chinese in just 15 minutes a day. DK Publishing: New York.
15-Minute Chinese 1-1 Nihao Hello 你好
Warm up
Chinese gongshou is famous: cupping one hand in the other in front of the chest, which is often accompanied with nodding or a light bow. Traditionally, there would not be any contact in the form of a handshake or kisses, although this is changing with the increasing Western influence.
Words to remember
zaoshang hao / Good morning. / 早上好
wanshang hao / Good evening. / 晚上好
wo-de mingzi shi... / My name is ... / 我的名字是……
zaijian / Goodbye. / 再见
wan an / Good night. / 晚安
mingtian jian / See you tomorrow. / 明天见
In conversation: formal
-- nihao, wo de mingzi shi Han Hong
Hello. My name is Han Hong.
你好，我的名字是韩红。
-- nihao, wo de mingzi shi Luobote Bake'er
Hello. My name is Robert Barker.
你好，我的名字是罗伯特·巴克尔。
Conversational tip
Chinese gongshou is famous: cupping one hand in the other in front of the chest, which is often accompanied with nodding or a light bow. Traditionally, there would not be any contact in the form of a handshake or kisses, although this is changing with the increasing Western influence.
Words to remember
zaoshang hao / Good morning. / 早上好
wanshang hao / Good evening. / 晚上好
wo-de mingzi shi... / My name is ... / 我的名字是……
zaijian / Goodbye. / 再见
wan an / Good night. / 晚安
mingtian jian / See you tomorrow. / 明天见
In conversation: formal
-- nihao, wo de mingzi shi Han Hong
Hello. My name is Han Hong.
你好，我的名字是韩红。
-- nihao, wo de mingzi shi Luobote Bake'er
Hello. My name is Robert Barker.
你好，我的名字是罗伯特·巴克尔。
Conversational tip
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