中国古代寓言故事（英文版）

A Blessing in Disguise

Huainanzi by Liu An

Once there was an old man, called Sai Weng, who lived near the border.

One day, one of Sai Weng’s horses ran out of the border, and his neighbors all came to console him. Sai Weng, however, was not anxious at all, saying, “This is really no big deal. How do we know that losing a horse isn’t actually a blessing?”

A few days later, the horse that ran out of the border suddenly came back, followed by a good horse from Hun ethnic tribe. This time, his neighbors all came to congratulate him. However, Sai Weng was still as cool as a cucumber, “Thank you for your kindness. But the problem is: how do we not know that this isn’t necessarily a bad thing?”

Sai Weng raised many good horses, and his son liked riding horses very much. One day, his son fell from the back of a horse, and broke his legs while riding it. His neighbors again came to console him. Sai Weng, however, said, “Thank you for your kindness. My son broke his legs, but why isn’t it a blessing?”

One year later, the young people were all recruited to resist the furious invasion of the Huns. In the end, most of the young people died in the war, and only one out of ten survived. Sai Weng’s son was not ordered to join the army because of his broken legs, and thus saved his own life and that of his father.

A fortune may change into a disaster, and a disaster may also change into a fortune. The principle behind this is very profound.

本丛书着重选择在中国流传、广大读者喜闻乐见的经典故事，这些故事不仅展现智慧、品格和灵感，而且有着一定的文学价值。相信国外读者朋友尤其是青少年朋友，在这些美丽故事的感染下，一定会更加了解和热爱中国传统文化。小32开，四色印刷，图文并茂。

Chinese classic stories have inherited and passed on the abundant historic treasury of the Chinese nation that has been accumulated over several thousand years, mirroring the politics, military affairs, culture, folk customs, prevailing moral practices, ideals and interests of ancient China. Through those stories, people can gain an understanding of China's long history and achieve an insight into the profound historical origins of Chinese culture.We have identified stories from the vast number of Chinese classic stories, and complied them into this collection. All stories are illustrated in concise words and expressions, and vivid pictures, which will help the process of reading enjoyable. The series of Classic Stories of China comprises nine books: Scenic Spots Stories, History Stories, Myths Stories, Wisdom Stories, Folk Customs Stories, Ancient Fables, Folk Tales, Idiom Stories, Drama Stories. May those books be your good teacher and helpful friends in learning Chinese culture.

CONTENTS

Different Climates

In the Same Boat

Talk Much or Little

Ji Chang Learns Archery

Unnecessary Worry

Refusing a Contemptuous Offer

A Chicken Stealer

Pin on the Neighbor

Climbing the Tree for Fish

Pao Ding Kills An Ox

Blind Imitation

A Frog in the Well

Duke Lu Raises a Bird

He’s Jade

Remote Water Saves No Near Fire

Wait by a Stump for a Hare

Self-contradiction

Ghosts Are the Easiest to Draw

A Snail in Zhongzhou

Birds of a Feather Flock Together

Throw a Baby Into the River

Marking the Boat to Look for a Sword

Plugging His Ears While Stealing a Bell

Two Tigers Fight

Bian Que Visites King of Qin

A Frightened Bird

A Fox in the Lion’s Skin

The Snipe and the Clam

A Blessing in Disguise

As Dangerous as Stacked Eggs

Mantis Stalks a Cicada

Lord Ye Loves Dragons

All Dogs Go to Heaven

Cover the Eyes With a Leaf

Rubber Stamp

Break Arrows

Playing Music for the Cow

Hou Yi Shoots

One Thousand Coins Around My Waist

A Thief Has Guilty Conscience

Nowhere to Exert Power

A Bossy Official

Drift Along

A Greedy Heart

Brothers Fight for a Wild Goose

The Word of Wan

The Taoist of Lao Mountain

The Midas Touch

The Ambition of the Wolves