Looking closer at my little friend, I saw why it had not run away. Trembling as it stood covered in frost, I saw that its mate had died, and had only a stem left. I sighed sadly and left her to grieve in peace. I heard her whisper in sorrow, "One is the loneliest number..."

Confucius (551–479 BCE) was a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history. The philosophy of Confucius emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity. His followers competed successfully with many other schools during the Hundred Schools of Thought era only to be suppressed in favor of the Legalists during the Qin Dynasty. Following the victory of Han over Chu after the collapse of Qin, Confucius's thoughts received official sanction and were further developed into a system known as Confucianism. Wikipedia: Confucius