Chi Hsing was a trainer of fighting cocks. For King Hsuan, he was training a fine bird.
The king kept asking if the bird were ready for combat.
“Not yet”, said the trainer. “He is full of fire. He is ready to pick a fight with every other bird. He is vain and confident of his own strength.”
After ten days, he answered again, “Not yet. He flares up when he hears another bird crow.”
After ten more days. “Not yet. He still gets that angry look and ruffles his feathers.”
Again, after ten more days. “He is nearly ready. When another bird crows, his eye does not even flicker. He stands immobile like a cock of wood. He is a mature fighter. Other birds will take one look at him and run.”
