FOLKTALES FROM CHINA

Ivory chopsticks

When King Chow ordered chopsticks made of ivory, Chi Tzu was most perturbed For he feared that once the king had ivory chopsticks he would not be content with earthenware, but would want cups of rhinoceros horn and jade ; and instead of beans and vegetables, he would insist on such delicacies as elephant's tail and baby leopard. He would hardly be willing either to wear rough homespun or live under a thatched roof, but would demand silks and splendid mansions.

 

" It is fear of what this will lead to " said Chi Tzu, " that upsets me. "

 

Five years later, indeed, King chow had a garden filled with meat, tortured his subjects with hot irons, and caroused in a lake of wine. And so he lost his kingdom.

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