" 'The young king answered, "No, I would not! If I were a lion, I would let all the weaker creatures dance before me in happiness and safety."
" ' "You are a strong, great king," said Confucius. "Other kingdoms are weaker than your own. Their kings do not wish to fight, unless they must. If you will take my advice and will not force them to war for six years, you shall have many gifts from these kingdoms. You shall have this wonderful fan made of the feathers from one hundred and twenty San-Chi birds, and gold and ivory, with beautiful carving; and you shall have gems of many colors and battle-horses and bears' feet.[1] If you will be advised by me, the other nations will give you these things."
" ' "How soon shall I have these things?" the young king asked.
" ' "In one year," Confucius replied, "you shall have them. I must have time to go again to the rulers of these kingdoms."
" 'So the king agreed to do as Confucius desired; and Confucius said, "I now give you my fan, and if in one year it is as I say, the fan is yours. But if you begin warring with any other nation in that time, you must return the gift to me."
" 'Then Confucius went to see the rulers of the
- ↑ Bears' feet are considered a great delicacy by the Chinese.
