Chuang Tzu Story - The Owl and the Phoenix

Chuang Tzu Stories

Chuang Tzu Story - The Owl and the Phoenix

Hui Tzu was prime minister of Liang
He had what he believed to be inside information
That Chuang Tzu coveted his post,
And was plotting to supplant him.

When Chuang Tzu came to visit Liang,
The prime minister send out police to arrest him,
But although they searched for three days and nights,
They could not find him.
Meanwhile Chuang Tzu presented himself
to Hui Tzu of his own accord, and said:

“Have you heard about the bird
that lives in the south –
the phoenix that never grows old?

“This undying phoenix rises out of the south sea
and flies to the sea of the north:,
never alighting except on certain sacred trees.
He will touch no food
but the most exquisite rare fruit,
And he drinks only from the clearest springs.

“Once an owl
chewing an already half decayed rat
saw the phoenix fly over.

“Looking up he screeched with alarm
and clutched the dead rat to himself
in fear and dismay.

“Prime minister,
why are you so frantic,
clinging to your ministry
and screeching at me in dismay?”