Unlike the cryptic Dao De Jing ( Tao Te Ching), the Zhuangzi as a text offers some valuable clues towards the historicity and identity of Zhuangzi. He is described turning down an official political appointment, preferring to 'drag his tail in the mud' instead of slaving away at the behest of a ruler (Chan 1963 Fowler 2005). His biography, written by the historian Sima Qian, states that his personal name was 'Zhou' and that he dwelt in Honan province, working in the Lacquer Garden (though the precise meaning of this phrase is presently unknown). It held onto the dead rat and squawked with all its might, trying to scare away the intruder.Little is known about the historical Zhuangzi. Alarmed, the owl immediately took action to protect its meal. It was about to feast on the carcass when it saw the Yuanchu bird flying overhead. “One day, there was an owl who found the rotting carcass of a rat. When it is thirsty, it drinks only pure stream water. When it is hungry, it eats only tender bamboo shoots. When it is tired, it rests only on the firmiana tree. Have you heard of it? For its migration flight, the Yuanchu bird travels from the Southern Sea to the Northern Sea.

He said to Hui Tzu: “There is a kind of bird similar to the phoenix, called Yuanchu. Before too long, Chuang Tzu figured out what was really going on.

It was a bit strange - Hui Tzu appeared to be on guard, but also aggressive and confrontational at the same time.

Right away, he sensed a certain tension in the air. Eventually, Chuang Tzu showed up to see his friend. They looked for three days and three nights, but came up with nothing - because Chuang Tzu hadn’t arrived yet. He said: “Your Excellency, have you considered the possibility that perhaps Chuang Tzu is coming here to take over your position as the Minister?” This notion made Hui Tzu quite nervous, so he ordered his people to search for Chuang Tzu throughout the land of Liang. One of Hui Tzu’s advisors heard about this, and went to see Hui Tzu immediately. He hadn’t been in touch with Chuang Tzu for quite some time, possibly due to his many duties and busy schedule, so Chuang Tzu thought it might be a good idea to pay his friend a visit. Sufi and Zen parables - THE DEAD RAT Chuang Tzu’s friend, Hui Tzu, had become the Minister in the Kingdom of Liang.

The parables of chuang tzu