Story using ChatGPT : A Problem Postponed is a Problem Solved

 See my previous blog https://prataverse.blogspot.com/2023/10/story-using-chatgpt-game-of-chess-with.html

  

 In my previous blogs I think I have given ChatGPT too much ideas and outline for the generated story. This time I'll give room for ChatGPT to generate ideas. AI text in blue.

My first prompting uses only an interesting quotation " A Problem Postponed is a Problem Solved " by an economist. It did not turn out good.

I added the reference the book Sun Zi Art of War , it is better as it somehow contextualized the story with ancient China and War strategy. However the problems generated is not something I have in mind.

I added a mythical Chinese Dragon as an antagonist as well as a personification of the crisis level problem.  It unfortunately becomes an over simplified story.

 

Finally I decided to choose another book and I think it work better. 

 

Write a story using a 7 part story structure referencing Dao De Jing by Laozi.  The story ends with "  A problem postponed is a problem solved. " where the protagonist a Taoist sage delay in solving the problem and the problem rolls into future where there is an innovative solution. 

Once upon a time, in a serene village nestled among lush green hills, there lived a Taoist sage named Li. Li was known throughout the land for his wisdom and deep understanding of the Dao De Jing, the ancient text by Laozi that revealed the path to harmony and balance.

 1. Introduction - A Life in Harmony

Li had lived a life in harmony with the Dao, practicing the principles of simplicity, humility, and compassion. He had a small cottage on the outskirts of the village, where he spent his days in meditation and tending to a beautiful garden. His days were tranquil and uneventful, which he cherished.

2. The Call to Adventure - A Troubled Village

 One day, a group of villagers came to Li's humble abode with furrowed brows and distress in their eyes. They explained that the village faced a grave problem. A fierce river that flowed nearby had swollen after days of heavy rain, and it threatened to flood the village, destroying their homes and livelihoods.

3. Refusal of the Call - Delaying the Solution

 Li, wise and tranquil as ever, listened attentively to their pleas. He nodded, acknowledging the severity of the situation. But, instead of rushing to their aid, he merely said, "I will contemplate this matter and return with a solution."

The villagers were perplexed by his response, expecting an immediate answer. But Li seemed unhurried, as if time itself was his ally. He retired to his garden, continuing his meditation, seemingly unaffected by the impending disaster.

4. Meeting the Mentor - Seeking Wisdom

 In the depths of his garden, Li delved into the verses of the Dao De Jing. He sought guidance from Laozi's teachings, pondering on the concept of effortless action and the flow of nature. He found inspiration in Verse 29, "Do you think you can take over the universe and improve it? I do not believe it can be done." Li realized that sometimes, the best course of action was to let things unfold naturally.

5. Crossing the Threshold - A Different Approach

 With newfound clarity, Li returned to the villagers the next day. He explained that they should not hastily attempt to divert the river's course or build barriers against its might. Instead, he suggested they wait and watch the river's flow, understanding its natural patterns. The villagers were skeptical, but they had no other choice but to trust the sage.

6. The Climax - An Innovative Solution

 As the days turned into weeks, Li and the villagers observed the river meticulously. They noticed that the river's course shifted with the ebb and flow of the seasons. Li realized that if they could construct a series of reservoirs and channels, they could harness the river's energy for irrigation during dry seasons and control its flooding during the monsoons.

Years passed, and the villagers diligently worked on the project. They managed to create an intricate network of channels and reservoirs that brought water and sustenance to their fields while keeping the village safe from floods. They had turned the river into an ally rather than an adversary.

7. The Return - A Problem Postponed

 One day, while sitting in his tranquil garden, Li overheard a conversation among the villagers. They praised him for his wisdom and foresight. Li smiled and said, "A problem postponed is a problem solved." The villagers looked at each other, perplexed.

Li continued, "By not rushing to battle the river head-on, we found a way to live in harmony with its natural course. This is the way of the Dao, where patience and understanding lead to the most innovative solutions."

And so, the village flourished, and Li's wisdom was celebrated for generations to come. The lesson he imparted from the Dao De Jing was clear: in the flow of time, patience, and insight, problems could be resolved in the most ingenious and harmonious ways.