After hours, when all is quiet in the tailor's workshop, a friendly debate is brewing among the master's tools. Sibling rivalry by moonlight.

"I am the most indispensible of all of us," proclaims Scissors, "for without me, the Master would not be able to cut clean edges or shape the fabric to suit his client's form."

His point was valid to be sure, but the others would not let him make so superlative a statement without contest.

"Nonsense." retorts Sandbag. "We all know that I am responsible for shaping the fabric. Master cannot form proper curves to fit around a man's shoulders or hips without me."

"Now, now brother, "Iron chimes in, "you know full well that we work together as a team. You are useless to Master without my heat to mold the fabric around you."

"Don't forget us." The modest voices of Bowl and Brush drift in quietly from the edge of the work table. "We may not be the most important, but your work is not possible without us. We loosen the fibers and get them ready for your part."

Satisfied with having been heard, they drift back into their slumber.

"It's very cute that you are all trying your hardest to measure up to me." The others all groan at Ruler's obvious pun. "You're all aware that the Master needs me to determine the correct dimensions for cutting and shaping, but did you know that the quality of an apprentice's training can be told by one look at his ruler? The Shanghai Ruler is a respected mark of excellent tutelage."

All is silent for a moment. Ruler has always been the most proud among them, and although they don't agree with him they know it is useless to argue the point.

After a while, Chalk speaks up. "Do you think Master has four hands? Can he hold the fabric and you, Ruler, while manipulating Scissors for cutting? I don't think so. Clearly it is I who am the most useful, for I allow Master to mark the cloth."

Needle sighs lazily. "All of what you say is true, but in the end your work is all preparation for the fabric to come to me. You perform the menial heavy lifting, so that Master and I may perform the elegant finer points and truly important work that goes on here in this shop."

Bamboo Stool's resonant voice lows from beneath the table. "Let's not bicker about these things. We are all family after all, and each of us has our own unique function to contribute to the Master's work."

He needs not argue his own case for they are all well aware that Bamboo Stool gives the Master support all day long; he helps to regulate the Master's rhythm by allowing him to stand for the fast work of cutting and sit for the slower work of sewing; and even when the Master is finished working with the others, he and Bamboo Stool rest together as Master takes a break.

Early the next morning as the sun first peeks over the treetops in the garden outside, Master quietly enters his workshop. He smiles upon his tools with a sincere appreciation for the individual value of each one. He is unaware of the pride they feel to be useful to him as he prepares his table for the day's work that lies ahead.