The king had a very precious cat, chained with a golden collar and fed only the finest food. Everyone in the palace knew this cat was treated like royalty, enjoying delicacies that no ordinary cat could dream of. Quynh, a clever and mischievous courtier, noticed this and decided to teach the cat a lesson while also demonstrating his own ingenuity. One day, while attending court, he secretly took the king’s cat, replaced its golden chain with a simple iron one, and prepared its meals in a very unusual way. He set out two bowls of food: one filled with meat and fish, as the cat was used to, and the other with plain rice, vegetable scraps, and shrimp heads. When the cat, expecting its usual luxury, ran straight to the fancy bowl, Quynh stood beside it with a rod and whipped the cat every time it tried to eat. Starving and frustrated, the cat had no choice but to eat the plain vegetable bowl. Over time, it learned to ignore the luxury food, and Quynh finally released it, satisfied with the lesson he had taught.
The king soon realized his beloved cat was missing and sent his guards to search. When they arrived at Quynh’s house, they spotted a cat that looked exactly like the king’s. Following the king’s orders, they brought both Quynh and the cat to the palace. The king looked at the cat and asked, “This cat looks just like mine. Did you steal it because it was so beautiful?” Quynh bowed respectfully and replied, “Your Majesty, it would be unfair to accuse me of theft. Please allow a simple test, and you will see the truth.” The king agreed, curious to see what Quynh had in mind.
Quynh explained, “Your Majesty, those who are rich are always given the finest meals, while those who are poor eat simple food. Let us see how this cat behaves when faced with both options.” Two bowls were presented: one with gourmet meat and fish, and one with plain rice and vegetables. The cat ran straight to the plain bowl and ate it all, ignoring the luxurious dish. Quynh calmly picked up the cat and addressed the king, saying, “Please understand, Your Majesty. People of wealth enjoy fine delicacies, while the poor live simply. A cat, like its master, follows the habits and lifestyle of its household.”
The king smiled, realizing the wisdom behind Quynh’s actions. The court witnessed a valuable lesson about intelligence, observation, and the natural connection between master and pet. Through his cleverness, Quynh had shown that understanding and patience often achieve more than force or punishment. The story of Quynh and the king’s cat became a timeless tale of wit, insight, and respect for nature’s order.