Chinese Merry Tales (1909)/The Griefs of a Literary Husband

Chapter XX.—The Griefs of a Literary Husband.
(腹內無文)

ANOTHER bachelor of arts, on account of the day of examination drawing near, was day and night afflicted with grief and felt down-hearted. His wife seeing him in such a bad plight, laughingly said to him: "When I see you writing literary essays, why is it so difficult? I suppose it is as hard as we women giving birth to a child." The bachelor of arts then replied: "It is still easier for you women to bear a child." His wife said: "Why do you think so?" B. A. replied: "Your abdomen contains an already formed child; my literary knowledge is not in my abdomen; why is it not then more difficult for me (to write an essay)?"

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