◎ Liezi
There once lived a person in the State Qi in the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC-476 BC). He was very anxious all day long, worrying about where he would escape to should the heaven fall and the earth collapse. With this concern, he didn’t eat or sleep well, and thus became thinner and thinner as time went by.
Noticing this, one of his friends went to talk to him, “The heaven is nothing but thick air, which exists everywhere. In reality, you’re living in heaven every day, your movement and even your breath can’t live without air. You have been living in air for so many years, and nothing has happened. Why should you worry about heaven falling?”
After hearing his friend’s remarks, the person became even more worried, asking, “If heaven is composed of air, then how are the sun, the stars and the moon suspended? Will they fall and drop on us?”
His friend answered, “The sun, the moon and the stars are just air masses that can shine. Even if they fall, they will not cause death!”
The person was not convinced, further asking, “What will happen if the earth sinks?”
His friend consoled him, “The earth is just some soil that is piled up. Soil is omnipresent , and fills every corner firmly without a gap. Many generations have freely treaded on earth, but no accidents have ever happened. Why should you worry if it will sink?”
After hearing these remarks, the person was finally relieved, and gave up his unnecessary worries. His friend was pleased and smiled.
