Dongfang Shuo: A Witty Man

While entertaining himself in Shanglin Garden, Emperor Wu Di of the Han Dynasty pointed at a tree and asked Dongfang Shuo, "What is that called?"

"It's called Goodness." replied Dongfang Shuo carelessly. Wu Di had it written down.

Several years later, playing in the garden again, Wu Di saw the tree and turned to Dongfang Shuo to ask its name. "it's named Jusuo (Overlooking all)." said Dongfang Shuo again carelessly.

Wu Di's expression changed, "You have been cheating me over the years. How can the same tree have different names?"

Dongfang Shuo defended himself with fervor and assurance "A horse is called horse only when it grows up; it is a foal when young; chicken is the name for a chick when it becomes older; and a cow is called a calf when born. So it is with human beings: They are called infants when born and old men when aged. The tree was Goodness several years ago and is now Overlooking-All. All the objects in the universe change. Don't you think that is the truth?"

Satisfied with Dongfang Shuo's reply, Wu Di laughed heartily. "

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