Page:Chinese Fables and Folk Stories.djvu/77

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THE HEN AND THE CHINESE MOUNTAIN TURTLE
73

think the master himself ought not to have enough of your earth and air to live in. This barnyard is large enough for birds, chickens, ducks, geese, and pigs. It makes our master happy to have us all here."

The chickens went away ashamed. Talking to each other about it, they said, "The turtle is right. It is foolish to want everything. We barnyard creatures must live at peace with each other until we die. The barnyard is not ours; we use it only a little while."


Ee-Sze (Meaning): The Creator made the world for all to use, and, while using it, the strong should not try to drive out the weak.