---
title: 4.子瞻和魚 Zi Chan And The Fish
description: "Zi Chan was a statesman who lived in Cheng during the Spring and Autumn period, some 2,500 years ago. Confucius praised "
---

4. ZI CHAN AND THE FISH

　　Zi Chan was a statesman who lived in Cheng during the Spring and Autumn period, some 2,500 years ago. Confucius praised his wisdom highly. Zi Chan was so smart and so kind that Chinese people still honor him today. He helped the poor and rescued those in danger. He enjoyed doing good, and in particular, he never liked to kill anything.

　　One day a friend sent him a present, several live fish. They were fat and looked delicious. They would certainly make a delicious meal! When Zi Chan received this gift, he was very grateful that his friend was so thoughtful. He accepted the gift happily. Then he called his servant.

　　"Take these fish and put them in the fishpond in the yard."

　　His servant said, "Master, this kind of fish is a rare delicacy. If you put them in the fishpond, the water is not as clear as a mountain stream's, so their flesh will not be as soft, and they will not taste as good. You should eat them right away."

　　Zi Chan smiled. "I am the boss here. Do as you are told. How could I murder these poor, innocent fish just for the sake of their taste? I couldn't bear to do that."

　　The servant had to obey orders. As she poured the fish into the pond, she told them, "You sure are lucky fish! If you had been given to anybody but my master, you would already be cooking in the wok by now!"

4. 子瞻和魚

　　子瞻是約2500年前春秋時期成國的一位政治家。孔子曾高度評價過他的智慧。子瞻是如此的聰明和善良，至今中國的老百姓都非常尊崇他。他濟貧並救人于危難。他助人為樂，特別是從不殺生。

　　一天一個朋友送他幾條活魚。這些魚很肥，並且看上去很鮮美。它們肯定會成為一頓美餐。子瞻收下這件禮物，他內心非常感激朋友對他的體貼。他很高興地收下了禮物，然後他叫來僕人。

　　「將這些魚放到院子里的魚池里 。」

　　他的僕人說，「老爺， 這種魚是鮮有的美味 。如果將它們放到魚池中，而池里的水又不象山間小溪的水那樣清澈， 魚肉就會變得不再松軟，味道也就不會那麼好了。您應該馬上吃掉它們。」

　　子瞻笑了。「這里我說了算。照我說的做。我怎麼會因為貪圖美味就殺掉這些可憐無辜的魚呢 ？我是不忍心那樣做的。」

　　僕人只得遵照命令。當她把魚倒回池中時，她對魚兒說，「你們真幸運啊。如果你們被送給別人，現在你們已經在鍋中受煎熬了 ！」