Author: CHUNG Yoon Ngan
Date: 01-03-12 02:17
Lord Ye's love of dragons
葉公好龍 (Ye Gong Hao3 Long2)
There was an aristocrat named Ye Zigao (葉子高), who lived in the State
of Chu
(楚國 in the present day county of Jiangling 江陵縣 in Hubei province 湖
北省), during the Spring and Autumn Period (春秋時代 722BC to 481BCB) of
the Zhou Dynasty (周朝 1134BC to 256BC). Ye Zigao had a fascination for
dragons. All his furniture and implements bore motives of dragons. The doors,
windows, pillars and ceilings in his house were all carved with patterns
of dragons. All the walls of his house were painted with lively pictures
of dragons, some of which were so real that they appeared to be in motion.
All his clothes had dragon designs and his pillows and blankets were embroidered
with dragon patterns.
All and sundry who entered his house felt like they were stepping into a
world
of dragons. Ye Zigao's affection of dragons was well known throughout the
district and was respected by people.
The real dragon in heaven heard about his infatuation and one day decided
to pay him a visit. The real dragon descended to earth and arrived at Ye
Zigao's house. The dragon entered the house, poking its head through a
window and resting its tail in the lounge. Ye Zigao was shocked and frightened
to see the dragon. Before the dragon could extend its salutations, Ye Zi
Gao, in
a flash, dashed out of the house screaming in terror. Ye Zigao was shown
to
have a superficial interest in dragons while coveting the power and reverence
of the dragons.
The moral is that the professed love of what one really fears.
Source:
莊子:
葉公子高之好龍﹐雕文畫之....]
Posted to Overseas Chinese Forum at asiawind.com
By CHUNG Yoon-Ngan (鄭永元)
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