Page:Chinese Merry Tales (1909).djvu/20

Chinese Merry Tales and did not venture to show his head. The cat happened to sneeze. The rat in the vase said something about good wishes—such words as "Happiness and prosperity." The cat said: "No matter how you compliment me, I am determined to eat you."

HERE was a man who was very fond of tranquillity. His place of abode was between a blacksmith's shop and a coppersmith's shop. Every day when these two men were working, the noise they made caused him a great deal of annoyance. Then he went up to them and said: "If you have any intention of moving your shops, let me know in advance, so that I may prepare a feast and invite you both." One day both smiths came over and said: "We both wish to move, so we are giving you due notice. Did you not promised to invite us to a feast? We came here purposely to remind you of your obligation." When the man heard these words, he was very happy. Without delay he ordered a feast to be prepared to which to invite the two smiths. After they had feasted, he asked them: "Where do you wish to move?" The two men at once replied: "He wishes to move into my house, and I wish to move into his house."

HERE was a mandarin who was exceedingly greedy. Whenever there is a trial, he sends for the plaintiff and defendant a few days ahead to talk with them. One day there were two parties who had a law suit. The accuser first sent in a present of fifty taels of silver. When the