Stick #77
Gongye Chang's Ordeal
FairPoem
Gongye knew the speech of birds on wing,
Who told of a tiger's sheep in Southern hill.
Though bound in chains for this stolen thing,
The blame was never his to fulfill.
鳥語能通公冶長
南山得箇虎抬羊
其身雖在於縲絏
到底非關自己殃
Interpretation
Gongye Chang could understand bird language. Poor and hungry, a sparrow told him of a tiger-killed sheep in South Mountain. When he took the sheep, its owner accused him of theft. Though imprisoned, he was innocent—later freed by the sparrow's aid. This sign warns: act prudently, ignore gossip, avoid meddling. Though wronged, refrain from arguments—virtue brings rescue. Adversity turns to fortune, but beware slanderers.
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