Edit2 - Of the Laws

[billy]

while i like it as a piece of confusionism, [i made that word up] and an insight. for me it's a delightful story but needs a little more metaphor/simile. other than that maybe a few more poetic devices. that said. they're not completely needed but would turn a good story into a better poem. all that said, i did enjoy it's answer which if read correctly shows Confucius thinking the earth is flat and level. but and this is a big but...goes on to wink and show he doesn't really think it flat.

Of the Laws (A Missing Analect)


“Master,” asked his eager student,
“why is Ocean’s level higher
at some places than at others?
Here it overtops a sea-wall,
but, a few leagues back, its water
stopped six fathoms down.  Can it be
that sea-level is not truly
just the same at every place? missing end quotes

“Has this world a curve, oh Master,
just as Ninefold Heaven arches
over all its lands and seas?”

“Fool!” his master said, but kindly,
“what makes you believe a wall men
built is level as an ocean?
Some who build, skimp, stopping lower
than they promised, and yet others
build too high because they pocket
money for each stone they lay. again no end quotes

“If all men would do exactly
as the Son of Heaven orders
in his wisdom, Middle Kingdom
would not suffer flood or famine.”
But, so saying, Master winked.