Ancient fables were originally folk oral creations and a literary genre. A story with allegorical or obvious lesson significance. Its structure is short. The protagonist can be a human, an animal, or an inanimate object. The difference between Western fables and Western fables lies in the use of metaphorical techniques to convey meaningful themes or profound truths in simple stories, while also requiring one’s own understanding and contemplation.
《古代寓言·两只眼睛》
昔有二人共评主者：
一人曰：“好”，一人曰：“丑”。
久而不决；二人各曰：“尔可求人，吾目中则好丑分矣”。
士有定形，二人察之有得失，非苟相反，眼睛异耳。
——《万机论》
Two Pairs of Eyes
Two men were discussing the appearance of their master.
“How handsome he is!” said one.
“How ugly!” said the other.
They argued for a long time and no conclusion could be reached. Finally each said to the other, “Get someone else to look at him and he will tell you that I’m right!”
—One’s features cannot be changed by other people’s comments. That the two men should have different views is not because they want to oppose each other, but because each sees through his own eyes.
–Wan Ji Lun
（杨宪益、戴乃迭 译）
