A man born in the state of Yan grew up in the state of Chu. When he grew old, he decided to return to his homeland.
While passing through the state of Jin, his companions pointed to the local cities and shrines, deceiving him into believing they were those of Yan. Upon hearing this, he became gloomy and sighed deeply. When they told him a certain house was his ancestral home, tears streamed down his face. Upon being shown tombs they claimed belonged to his ancestors, he could not help but weep.
Having had their fun, the companions laughed and revealed they had been lying—they were still in Jin. The man from Yan felt deeply ashamed.
When he finally arrived in Yan and truly saw its cities, temples, ancestral home, and tombs, he was left with only very few sentimental feelings.