“Among Chuang-tzu's many skills, he was an expert draftsman. The king asked him to draw a crab. Chuang-tzu replied that he needed five years, a country house, and twelve servants. Five years later the drawing was still not begun. "I need another five years," said Chuang-tzu. The king granted them. At the end of these ten years, Chuang-tzu took up his brush and, in an instant, with a single stroke, he drew a crab, the most perfect crab ever seen. [Calvino retells this Chinese story]”
In this quote, Italo Calvino retells a Chinese story about the expert draftsman Chuang-tzu, who is asked by the king to draw a crab. Chuang-tzu's unconventional response of needing five years, a country house, and twelve servants to complete the task may seem absurd at first. However, his ultimate ability to draw the perfect crab with just a single stroke after ten years highlights his mastery and unique way of approaching challenges. This story serves as a lesson in patience, dedication, and the importance of individual creativity in problem-solving.
In a world that often values instant gratification and quick results, the story of Chuang-tzu's patience and dedication serves as a reminder of the importance of taking the time to truly master a skill. This story highlights the idea that sometimes true expertise and perfection cannot be rushed, and that the journey to mastery may require years of hard work and dedication. In a society that often expects instant success, this tale offers a valuable lesson on the importance of patience and perseverance in achieving greatness.
Italo Calvino retells a Chinese story about Chuang-tzu, showcasing his exceptional skills as a draftsman. The king's request for a crab drawing becomes a ten-year endeavor, culminating in a perfect masterpiece created with a single stroke of the brush.
(Note: Italo Calvino’s rendition of this Chinese tale highlights Chuang-tzu’s expertise and patience in creating a flawless piece of art)
This story illustrates the idea of patience, dedication, and the importance of taking the necessary time to truly master a skill. It raises questions about the value of time, effort, and the pursuit of perfection. Reflect on the following questions:
“Once upon a time, I, Chuang Tzu, dreamt that i was a butterfly. flitting around and enjoying myself. I had no idea I was Chuang Tzu. Then suddenly I woke up and was Chuang Tzu again. But I could not tell, had I been Chuang Tzu dreaming I was a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming I was now Chuang Tzu? However, there must be some sort of difference between Chuang Tzu and a butterfly! We call this the transformation of things.”
“Master Chuang Tzu says the spring insect knows nothing of the winter! We can also say suspicion knows nothing of the peace of mind!”
“Chang Tzu tells us of a persevering man who after three laborious years mastered the art of dragon-slaying. For the rest of his days, he had not a single opportunity to test his skills.”
“Queer Chueh Chun had been named Ma Tzu by his honorable parents. He had been named Ma Tzu, which means Face Rather Ugly. He himself changed his name to Chueh Chun, which means Absolutely Beautiful.”
“Tzu Chang asked Confucius about jen. Confucius said, "If you can practice these five things with all the people, you can be called jen."Tzu Chang asked what they were.Confucius said, "Courtesy, generosity, honesty, persistence, and kindness.If you are courteous, you will not be disrespected; if you are generous, you will gain everything. If you are honest, people will rely on you. If you are persistent you will get results. If you are kind, you can employ people.”