The Tale of the Fùbǎn Insect - Liu Zongyuan
/蝜蝂传 - 柳宗元/
A Cautionary Allegory on Burdens and Desire
N/A (This is a prose essay, not a poem.)
Although you requested details of the “poem,” Liu Zongyuan’s 《蝜蝂传》 (Fùbǎn Zhuàn) is actually a short prose essay rather than a poem. In this work, Liu Zongyuan describes a small insect (蝜蝂, or fùbǎn) that habitually carries items on its back, loading itself down until it can barely move. Through this vividly drawn allegory, Liu Zongyuan critiques human tendencies toward greed, ambition, or the accumulation of unwieldy burdens—emotional, material, or otherwise.
Similar to his other well-known essays (such as 《捕蛇者说》), 《蝜蝂传》 fuses moral reflection with natural observation. Liu Zongyuan deftly paints the insect’s plight to illustrate how people, driven by never-ending desire, can unwittingly weigh themselves down. By calling attention to our willingness to gather more—status, possessions, or duties—than we can properly handle, he advocates a more measured approach to life.
In essence, 《蝜蝂传》 is a cautionary piece: it reminds us that unchecked craving often leads to stagnation rather than progress. True contentment arises when we learn to recognize our limits and detach ourselves from the compulsion to constantly accumulate. While not a poem, it embodies the elegant literary style and philosophical depth for which Liu Zongyuan is celebrated in the Tang Dynasty canon.
Key points
1. **Genre Distinction**: Despite its title, 《蝜蝂传》 is an essay (prose), not a poem.
2. **Moral Allegory**: The overburdened insect exemplifies how relentless desire can inhibit true freedom.
3. **Social Critique**: Liu Zongyuan often used animal fables to question human folly and advocate simpler, more ethical living.
4. **Timeless Reminder**: The essay’s message—to avoid overloading oneself with unnecessary burdens—remains pertinent today.