Читать книгу Vietnamese Legends - George F. Schultz - Страница 15

6

THE TAILOR AND THE MANDARIN

IN THE capital of Vietnam there was once a certain tailor who was renowned for his skill. Every garment that left his shop had to fit the client perfectly, regardless of the latter's weight, build, age, or bearing.

One day a high mandarin sent for the tailor and ordered a ceremonial robe.

After taking the necessary measurements, the tailor respectfully asked the mandarin how long he had been in the service.

"What does that have to do with the cut of my robe?" asked the mandarin good-naturedly.

"It is of great importance, sire," responded the tailor. "You know that a newly appointed mandarin, impressed with his own importance, carries his head high and his chest out. We must take this into consideration and cut the rear lappet shorter than the front.

"Later, little by little we lengthen the rear lappet and shorten the front one; the lappets are cut exactly the same length when the mandarin reaches the halfway point of his career.

"Finally, when bent over with the fatigue of long years of service and the burden of age, he aspires only to join his ancestors in heaven, the robe must be made longer in the back than in the front.

"Thus you see, sire, that a tailor who does not know the seniority of the mandarins cannot fit them correctly."