To Catch an Emperor

There was an old fisherman in China who for forty years used a straight needle on his fishing line.

A neighbor once asked him, "Why don't you use a bent hook?"

The old fisherman replied, "You can catch ordinary fish with a bent hook, but I will catch a great fish with my straight needle."

Word of this old fisherman and his straight needle made it to the ear of the Emperor.

So, one day, the Emperor went to see this fool of a fisherman for himself.

The Emperor asked the fisherman, "What are you fishing for, old man?"

The fisherman answered, "I'm fishing for you, Emperor."