Among Chuan-tzu’s many skills, he was an expert draftsman.
The king asked him to draw a crab. Chuang-tzu replied that he needed five years, a country house, and twelve servants.
Five years later the drawing was still not begun.
“I need another five years,” said Chuang-tzu.
The king granted them.
At the end of these ten years, Chuang-tzu took up his brush and,
in an instant, with a single stroke,
he drew a crab, the most perfect crab ever seen.
The king asked him to draw a crab. Chuang-tzu replied that he needed five years, a country house, and twelve servants.
Five years later the drawing was still not begun.
“I need another five years,” said Chuang-tzu.
The king granted them.
At the end of these ten years, Chuang-tzu took up his brush and,
in an instant, with a single stroke,
he drew a crab, the most perfect crab ever seen.
