The prince of Wu decided to attack the state of Chu. He gave a stern warning to his subjects that anyone who raised objections would be put to death.
One of his stewards wanted to protest, but dared not. Instead, he took a catapult and pellets and wandered in the back courtyeard until his clothes were wet with dew. He did this for three mornings.
Come here, ordered the prince. " What are you doing to make your clothes wet with dew ?"
" There is a tree in the garden, " replied the steward, and on it there is a cicada. This cicada perches up there, chirping away and drinking the dew, not knowing that there is a praying mantis behind it. And the praying mantis leans forward, raising its forelegs to catch the cicada, not knowing that there is a sparrow beside it. The sparrow, again, cranes its neck to peck at the praying mantis, not knowing that there is someone with a catapult waiting below. These three small creatures are so eager to profit by something directly in front of them that they fail to realize the danger behind.
" Well said, " replied the prince and he gave up his plan of invasion.
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