Confucius Observes Wild Chickens: A Lesson in Timing and Opportunity

The color is raised (1), and then it flies (2). It says, “The female pheasant on the mountain ridge (3), it’s time! (4)” Zilu (5) shared (6) it, and smelled it three times before eating it.

[Notes]

(1) Se Si Ju Yi: Se, facial expression. Ju, the bird flying up.

(2) Xiang Er Hou Ji: Flying for a while, then landing on a tree. The birds stop on the tree and call “Ji”.

(3) Shan Liang Fei Zhi: Female pheasants gathered on the mountain ridge.

(4) Shi Zai Shi Zai: It’s the right time! It’s the right time! This means that the pheasants are having a good time, flying freely and falling freely.

(5) Gong: the same as “gong”.

(6) San xun er zuo: xun should be a misprint for xun. Xun, pronounced jù, means a bird spreading its wings. One version of the text uses the character “jia,” which means the long cry of a bird.

Translation:

Confucius was walking in the valley when he saw a flock of pheasants flying there. Confucius’s expression changed slightly, and the pheasants flew for a while and then landed on the trees. Confucius said, “These female pheasants on the mountain ridge have their time! They have their time!” Zilu bowed to them, and the pheasants flew away after calling a few times.

Commentary

It seems that he was just enjoying the scenery, but in fact Confucius was moved to speak. He felt that the pheasants in the valley were able to fly freely and fall freely, which was “their time,” but he himself was not in his time, running around without getting a universal response. Therefore, when he saw the pheasants, his expression changed and he let out a sigh.

The Analects of Confucius, Advanced Learning, Chapter 11

In a serene valley, Confucius found himself walking among the gentle rustling of nature. As he strolled, he noticed a flock of wild hens perched on the ridge of a mountain. Their flight and landing caught his attention, and his expression shifted with a hint of recognition.

The wild hens had been soaring freely in the sky, and after a brief period of fluttering, they alighted gracefully on a tree. Confucius watched this scene and remarked, “These hens on the mountain ridge are truly fortunate. They have found their moment!”

This observation was more than a mere comment on the hens’ behavior. Confucius saw in their freedom and timely landing a metaphor for opportunity and timing. To him, these hens were symbolic of a rare and favorable moment—a time when conditions are just right.

Confucius’s companion, Zilu, who was present, bowed in respect as the hens made a few calls and then flew away. The brief but poignant interaction between Confucius and the hens encapsulated a deeper lesson on the nature of opportunity and the significance of timing in one’s pursuits.

The philosopher’s reaction—his slight change in demeanor followed by his thoughtful exclamation—revealed his internal reflection. While the wild hens enjoyed their moment of freedom and ease, Confucius felt a sense of missed opportunity in his own life. Despite his efforts and travels, he often felt he was not achieving the widespread impact he desired.

Thus, the sight of the wild hens became a powerful metaphor for Confucius. They represented the ideal state of being where one’s efforts align perfectly with the opportune moment. The lesson here extends beyond the observation itself; it reflects the philosophical notion that true success often hinges on recognizing and seizing the right moments in life.