Page:Chinese Merry Tales (1909).djvu/26

Chinese Merry Tales yesterday you listen and I will explain to you. 'Ta Hsio' is the name of a book. 'Tze Tao' are the principles or discussions in the book. Do you all understand it clearly?" The students said: "We all understand." They put another question, the next sentence: "Tsai Min Min Teh (在明明德) What does it mean?" When the teacher heard this, his eyes looked askance, and he said: "Stop, don't be in a hurry; the wine has gone up to my head again."

HERE was a man who was an adept in telling lies. One day he said to his relative: "We have an ox 30 feet long in our home; it can go 1,000 li a day. There is also a cock that can announce the watch of the night. Whatever the watch of the night, he is able to crow the number of the watch. There is still a dog who can read and write." His relative was quite anxious to see these, and said: "There is such valuable livestock in your home; some day I must go to your home to satisfy my curiosity." The owner of the animals went home and said to his wife: "What shall I do? Without intention I have told a lie. Our relative will be here to-morrow. Tell me how you would answer him." His wife said: "Never mind, to-morrow you go your way; surely I will know how to answer him." The next day the relative actually came and asked: "Is our cousin at home?" His wife replied: "Your relative has ridden to Yunnan on the ox early this morning. He will return in a few days." The visitor again asked: "There is in your residence a cock that can announce the watch of the night; where is it?" It was just midday when this question was asked, and the cock crowed. The mistress pointed to the cock and said: "There it is; it not only can