Of Kids and Wolves

34. Ta Chuang — 10. Lu

The situation described can be summed up by Aesop’s fable of the Kid and the Wolf, where the moral of the story is often read from the perspective of the wolf. However we can also see things from the perspective of the smart kid.

The story goes that there was a kid (a young goat) who began to grow his horns. Naturally, he got a little cocky one day, and decided to go grazing through the forest on his own. A hungry wolf nearby, began to track and then stalk the kid. As the kid carelessly grazed over towards where the wolf was hiding, the wolf jumped out of the bushes!

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The kid, frozen in terror, knew he had no chance of escape. So he pleads, “Mr. Wolf, I know you’re about to eat me, but before you do, could you play me a song to dance to as my last request?” The wolf, being more jovial than usual (I suppose), obliges and begins to sing a song. The shepard’s hounds’ ear immediately recognized the wolf’s song and subsequently chased off the wolf.

The moral of the story, is often interpreted as basically: “keep your eyes on the prize” or “Don’t be distracted from your original purpose”. But the I Ching wants you to also learn the lesson taught by the young goat.

We all have moments when we feel strong and confident. And that state of being can lead us to make careless mistakes with the wrong people. The I Ching suggests that perhaps with timely wit and a little charm you can bypass these obstacles with great ease! ... and if that doesn’t work you can always try your hand at a Jedi Mind Trick.

Stay blessed always,

Lee