Tale#3

A Cry Subordinated ©

Confucius when young often used to visit the Ducal palace at Ai. The Chamberlain to the Duke was a close friend of his father and his son Chu Teh, his close companion. During one of such visits Confucius came to be acquainted with a dwarf who was a personal favorite of the Duke. Whenever the Duke entertained he was required to make the company merry with his antics. One morning Chu Teh took Confucius to call on the dwarf. They were surprised to see the dwarf was in tears. When asked for the reason the clown said that he remembered the fate of Shang Yung who was the bravest of the brave. He was the emperor’s favorite till he was found out.
“What happened?” they asked him.
“One night he was walking home late, after drinking one too many. It was a moonlit night and he had almost a mile to go. When his head cleared somewhat he saw his own shadow stretched before him. He shrieked as if it were a ghost, and ran away. Next morning hearing that news had spread that he was scared of his own shadow he never dared show his face again.” After a while he added, “I realize that I am in a similar position. I have so much to feel sorry for; but I must always put a brave face. Because I am the official clown and all that stuff.” Again he went on crying feeling sorry for himself.
benny