To prefer novel or exotic things over familiar or common ones; also, used to describe contrasting styles, particularly in art or calligraphy, where 'domestic fowl' represents one's own familiar style and 'wild duck' represents an admired, often more unconventional, style.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Synonym:
Story:
During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Yu Yi, a military general, was also a skilled calligrapher, much like Wang Xizhi. He was displeased when he saw that his son and nephew were learning Wang Xizhi's calligraphy instead of his own.
He remarked that his son and nephew preferred 'wild ducks' (referring to Wang Xizhi's style) over 'domestic chickens' (his own style), implying a challenge or comparison with Wang Xizhi.
However, after he personally saw one of Wang Xizhi's calligraphy masterpieces, he was thoroughly convinced and impressed.