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 Shuoto ask its name. "it's named Jusuo (Overlooking all)." said Dongfang Shuo again carelessly.
Wu Di's expression changed, "You have beencheating me over the years. How can the sametree have different names?"
Dongfang Shuo defended himself with fervourand assurance "A horse is called horse only whenit grows up; it is a foal when young; chicken isthe name for a chick when it becomes older; anda cow is called a calf when born. So it is withhuman beings: They are called infants when bornand old men when aged. The tree was Goodnessseveral years ago and is now Overlooking-All.All the objects in the universe change. Don'tyou think that is the truth?"
Satisfied with Dongfang Shuo's reply, Wu Dilaughed heartily.

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