成语寓言故事:LuBanMakesaMagpie鲁班造鹊
DuringtheSpringandAutumnPeriod***770一476B.C.***,askillfulcraftsmannamedGongshuZiintheStateofLu,knowntopeopleas"LuBan",madeamagpiewithbambooandwood.
春秋时期,鲁国有个能工巧匠公输子,人称“鲁班”。他用竹木造了一只喜鹊。
Amachinewasinstalledinthismagpiewhich,whenstarted,couldflyhighlikearealbird.Itactuallyflewcontinuallyforthreedaysandnightsbeforeitlanded.
这只木制的喜鹊,安装着机关。只要一开动它,就能像真的鸟一样展翅高飞。它一连飞了三天三夜才降落下来。
GongshuZigreatlyappreciatedthisexcellentworkofhisown.
公输子非常欣赏自己这件得意的作品。
WhenMoZi***MasteroftheMohistSchool***heardofthis,hewentimmediatelytoseeGongshuZiandsaidtohim:
墨子知道了这件事情以后,立刻去见公输子,对他说:
"Asyouknow,ittakesanordinarycarpenteraveryshorttimetomakealinchpinofawheelwiththeminimumamountoftimber.Avehiclewithalinchpininsertedintoeachendofanaxlecancarrymanythingsandbearaheavyloadof50dan***1hectolitre***.Butyoutookpainstakingefforttomakethiswoodenmagpie.Thoughprettyandabletofly,itcannotcomparewiththelinchpinintermsofpracticalvalue.Thingsmadebyacarpentershouldbeusefulforpeople'slife,sothateveryonewillpraisehimforhisclevernessandskill.Otherwise,heisboundtobederided."
“你知道,普通的木匠只花很短的时间,用极少的木料就能做成车辖。将车辖插在车轴的两端,这样的车子可以装载许多东西,能经受五十石的重压。而这只你费了心血做成的木头喜鹊,虽然会飞也很漂亮,但是却不如车辖那样有实用价值。木匠做出来的东西,要对人们的生活有帮助,大家才会夸他心灵手巧;否则难免被人笑骂。”
英语·成语故事(含译文)109页