Reverend Insanity

To the birds, the beasts, and the fish in turn, Ren Zu again asks for freedom from fate’s shackles: to go where he likes and keep loved ones forever, to hold endless wealth, and to never die. Each rebuts a different wish: a human is born to lose companionship, own nothing at death, and succumb to age or sickness. Puzzled, then disgruntled, then irritated, Ren Zu goes insane. Asked how he can have such thoughts, he demands on what basis fate forbids them. He decides that if the thoughts make him insane he will become a lunatic, and if the pursuit makes him demonic he will become a demon. ^{ch. 1960}