Chinese Merry Tales (1909)/18

Chapter XVIII.— Disputing about Etiquette.  (爭坐位.)

ONE a blindman, a dwarf, and a humpback, three of them, while they were about to sit down to a feast, clamoured for a seat of honour. They said: "We will agree to this: the one who could tell the biggest lie, will be allowed to occupy the highest seat. Is that not a good plan?" The blindman said: "I will have the first say; the pupil of my eyes has no reflection (人 man)." (Also means, there is no one equal to himself) The dwarf said: "I cannot be compared with an ordinary man, therefore you two have to make room for me."

The humpback said: "You two need not dispute; you both are straight backed (Chi bai 姪輩 also means nephew, a lower generation); naturally I should have the seat of honor."

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