Tales Real and Imaginary
(37) Sharing the Light
There was, in a community by the river, a custom of girls sewing together in a common room at night, each bringing an oil-lamp to share a brighter light.
One night, the girls discovered that a girl did never bring her oil-lamp for the pool. They decided to send her away.
“Why do you begrudge me a bit of light?” That girl asked and presented her situation: “I am poor and cannot afford oil for the lamp. But I have always come early to clean the room and to arrange chairs for everyone to sit in comfort. The light of your lamps floods the whole room. You have nothing to loose by allowing me to share it. Your kindness means a lot to me.”
Her presentation made a lot of sense. All the girls felt ashamed of their selfishness. They invited the poor girl to stay with them.
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Note: This is an English narration of an allegory in《戰國策》(The Strategy of the Warring States). The original title 借光 (sharing lights) has become a common saying to denote sharing what is good.
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Tales Real and Imaginary
(38) Flattery and Wealth
Once upon a time, there lived a pauper who never flattered the wealthy.
One day, a rich person asked him: “Why don’t you flatter me like so many people do. I am a rich man.”
“You do have money. But you would never give me any for free. Why should I flatter you?” the pauper replied.
“Well, suppose I give you 20% of my money, will you flatter me?”
“That would be an improvement. But that would not be a reason for me to flatter you.”
“What if I share all my money equally with you. Will you then flatter me?”
“No. Because we will then be equals. Why should I flatter you?”
“Well, suppose I give you everything I have. I trust you will praise me.”
“Ah, in that case I will be the wealthy man. There will be no need for me to flatter you by your own logic. What will you say?”
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Note: This is an English narration of an allegory in the book《艾子外語》. The story suggests that flattery has no price.