Discussion keeps the world turning.
This is Round Table.
You're listening to Round Table.
I'm Steve Hatherly.
And coming up, today we continue the special series on Zhuangzi,
about one of the most influential philosophers of ancient China.
Who was Zhuangzi?
And what life lessons can we still draw from his centuries-old wisdom?
In this series,
we'll explore some of the most fascinating stories from Zhuangzi and reflect on what they reveal about how we live,
think, and choose.
On today's show, we bring you the story Cook Ding, the expert ox butcher.
It's a story about learning and practice.
Lord Wenhui was breathless as he watched Cook Ding cutting upon an ox.
He had never known that his royal chef was a master of blade.
Every touch he made was of subtlety and accuracy of God knows how.
His knife knew the ways into the bones and joints, yet just narrowly avoiding them.
Wherever the knife went, flesh fell from the bones.
Copting slithered his knife gracefully with a zing,
as if his hand and blaze were dancing in perfect rhythm.