The renowned philosopher, Chuang Tzu grew up in a poor family during the Warring States Period (403-222 BC). One day he went to a local official to borrow some money. The official, while sympathetic, said to wait until he had collected his revenues and he would then lend him 300 taels of silver.
Upon hearing this reply Chuang Tzu said, "Yesterday I saw a gold carp in a dried roadside ditch. The carp said to me, 'Uncle, I am from the eastern sea and owing to misfortune have ended up here. Quickly fetch me a pail of water before I perish.' I told him that I was on my way to the south and once I got there I would bring back a bucket of the water from the Hsi River. He replied, 'If I wait for you to return I will already be salted and up for sale in the market.'"
This story cleverly emphasizes that we shouldn't delay in helping those in need.
(Gerald Hatherly)