The Wise Man Wu Shih

        In China, a long, long time ago, there lived a wise man called Wu Shih. People came for many miles to ask Wu Shih for advice, and he freely gave it. The people were always grateful, but Wu Shih never accepted any money, for he wanted to remain a simple rice farmer.
        One day, there was a fearsome whirlwind outside Wu Shih's house, but Wu Shih wasn't afraid. Instead, he stood at the door, waiting. The whirlwind drew closer, then suddenly stopped! In its place stood a mighty warrior, whose head was that of a monkey.
        "I am Wen Tsu, Prince of Monkeys," said Wen Tsu, Prince of Monkeys. "I command you to tell me something wise, or I shall turn your rice into maggots!"
        "Never try to eat soup using chopsticks," said Wu Shih. "Now go away."
        Wen Tsu scowled, then disappeared.
        Next day, the whirlwind and the Prince of Monkeys returned.
        "Wu Shih," said Wen Tsu. "I again command you to tell me something wise, or I shall turn your rice into maggots!"
        "Never try to eat soup using a knife," said Wu Shih. "Now go away."
        Wen Tsu glowered, but summoned his whirlwind and flew off.
        On the third day, the Prince of Monkeys returned once more.
        "I command you," he said, "to tell me something wise, or I shall turn your rice into maggots."
        "Never try to eat soup using either chopsticks or a knife," said Wu Shih. "Now go away."
        Wen Tsu was very, very angry. "You have told me that already!" he roared. "I shall teach you not to repeat yourself!" He waved his hands in a mysterious fashion, and laughed, loudly. "There!" he said. "All your rice is maggots! No-one will ever think you wise now!" With that, he clapped his hands, then rode off on his whirlwind, still laughing wildly in that crazy way monkeys do.
        Wu Shih smiled. "It is you who should not repeat yourself, Wen Tsu," he said. "I sold off all my rice yesterday, just in case."

So

Use a spoon to eat soup.

Illustration by Roy Bartle
Image size: approx. 23K.