The emperor sent a second messenger to Chuang Tzu, to persuade him to come to the capital and serve as an advisor.
Chuang Tzu took the messenger to the king’s stockyards. Inside was a prize ox, being fed the best grain and hay. Chuang Tzu pointed to the animal and said,
“This ox is being fed the finest grain, but he doesn’t know that he’ll be sacrificed at the autumn festival. When the butcher comes with his knife, he’ll beg to pull a farmer’s plow in some humble field.
“Tell the emperor that I took prefer to stay in my humble field, pulling a plow.”
-Inspired by Eva Wong’s ‘Tales of the Taoist Immortals’.