The Ding family in the State of Song had no well of their own. Someone in the household often had to spend an entire day fetching water from afar. To solve this problem, they had a well dug in their courtyard.
After the work was completed, they said to each other happily, "It seems that with this new well, it's as if we have gained an extra person in our family."
One of Ding's friends heard this remark and passed it on. The story spread from friend to friend until it became: "The Dings dug a well and found a man inside!"
When the Duke of Song heard this tale, he summoned Ding to inquire about the matter. "With the digging of the well," Ding explained to the Duke, "it is as if your humble servant has gained the help of an extra man. It does not mean I actually found a man in the well."