Using Imagery in Didactic Literature

The stories, "The Zen Parables," "Taoist Anecdotes," and "Confucius Analects" describe ways to show acts of kindness and teach morals to pass on to others.
In "The Zen Parables," the story "The Thief Who Became a Disciple" teaches a moral lesson of kindness. The man came into Shichiri's house to steal money and he allowed him. The thief was then caught and Shichiri dropped the charges against him. Most people would have the thief arrested but he let him go because he thanked him. This showed Shichiri was very forgiving. He let the man have the money even though he stole it from him. This shows an act of kindness and a forgiving attitude by Shichiri. The imagery used was the robber. Even though he stole the money, Shichiri allowed him to take it because he thanked him.
In the "Missing Axe" of the Taoist anecdotes, a boy is accused of stealing an axe from a man. The man assumes he stole it without even asking him if he did. The lesson learned from this anecdote is don't jump to conclusions before you get your facts straight. The man had no idea if the boy took his axe, he just assumed it. This teaches us not to judge people before we get to know them. The imagery used was the man. The man is seen as someone who judges people to soon.
The first paragraph of the "Confucius Analects" tells people how to follow morality. "He who rules by moral force is like a polestar" is a great quote. It describes how people who act as a leader are the great people in society. The people who do not lead others will remain followers. The paragraph tells us to go out and teach people the morals we are taught. The imagery used is the polestar, or North Star. The star is used to show the people who are leaders and go and practice their morals in everyday life.