Prudent Reserve Between Men and Women

A man named Fu Xian was fond of reading books. Though proficient in literature and

etiquette, he was stubbornlyadherent to outworn rules.

Being impractical and dull, he looked just like an old pedant.

One day, Fu Xian strolled on the street with measured strides and asked whomever hemet:

“Have you seen Wei San?”

Someone pointed to the direction and he walked on unhurriedly with measured

strides.When he saw Wei San, he panted for a while, then said:“I just saw your wife doing

needlework under a tree. She was tired and taking a nap.Your child was playing beside a well, only 3 to 5 chi away from it.It seemed to me thatsome accident might happen.As there is prudentreserve between men and women, it was not convenient for me toawaken your wife in person.That's why I have come all the way here to tell you.”

Upon hearing this, Wei San was panic-stricken and hurried home. When he got home, hiswife was bending over the well, wailing bitterly for their son.