Word Fun

Author: Mi Jinlong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Why is a friend called "zujia"?
"Zujia" is a noun. There is also a legend about the origin of the word "zujia": During the Spring and Autumn Period, Prince Zhong Er of Jin fled into exile. One day, he wanted to eat meat, but where could he find meat in the wilderness? His followers were very loyal to him, among whom one follower named Jie Zi-tui secretly cut a piece of meat from his own thigh and cooked it for Prince Zhong Er to eat. When Prince Zhong Er learned the truth, he was deeply moved and resolved to reward this follower well if he became a ruler in the future. Later, Prince Zhong Er did become a ruler, but he had long forgotten about Jie Zi-tui and did not appoint him to any official position. Jie Zi-tui did not ask for a position either and, along with his mother, left home and hid in the mountains. When Prince Zhong Er finally remembered, he sent people to search for him but could not find him. Someone told Prince Zhong Er that Jie Zi-tui was hiding in a mountain. Prince Zhong Er sent people several times to invite him to come out and offered him an official position, but Jie Zi-tui refused to leave the mountain. Filled with urgency, Prince Zhong Er decided to force Jie Zi-tui out by setting the mountain on fire. However, Jie Zi-tui tightly hugged a tree trunk and was burned to death. Deeply grieved, Prince Zhong Er ordered that the tree be cut down and made into wooden sandals. Every time he wore the sandals, he would sadly say, "Alas, zujia!" P1