A motif from a very old and ancient Chinese text dating BC by the author Zhuangzi.
螳臂擋車 “A praying mantis blocking a cart with its arms”
One day, when Lord Zhuang / Juang of the state of Qi / Chyi was heading into the mountains to go hunting, he noticed a small green insect angrily raising its arms as if to do battle with the cart wheel.
This piqued the lord’s curiosity, so he asked his driver “What manner of insect is this?”
The driver looked at him and replied: “This is a praying mantis. This insect doesn’t advance and doesn’t retreat. It is not aware of its lack of strength and that its enemy is more powerful.”
Full of admiration, the lord sighed: “If only this were a human. He would become an invincible warrior!” He then ordered his driver to veer to the side and let the praying mantis be.
Source: https://steemit.com/science/@wentong-syhhae/tarng-bih-daang-che-a-praying-mantis-blocking-a-cart-with-its-arms
